Both sources told CNN that a draft proposal recommends adding more than 1,000 United States Capitol officers, establishing a dedicated rapid reaction force and building an integrated system of walls and fences around the Capitol complex.
Preliminary recommendations include dozens of improvements to the physical security infrastructure throughout the complex, better communication resources for officers and additional personnel to reinforce a force that was invaded by protesters last month.
The addition of more than 1,000 Capitol police officers – at a cost close to $ 100 million – would include about 350 police officers and extended staff at regional offices. The review concluded that the force must be expanded in part to meet members’ security needs when they return home, according to one of the sources with knowledge of the findings.
The second source also noted that the expansion of the force will provide some relief for current officers, many of whom are exhausted and have been working overtime since January 6.
In addition, the recommendations call for the establishment of a robust and dedicated rapid reaction force, made up of a National Guard military police battalion, to be on standby in Washington full-time, according to both sources. The rapid reaction force will be deployed near the Capitol and will be able to respond in future crisis situations, noted one of the sources.
In addition to dramatically increasing the number of USCP officers dedicated to protecting the Capitol and lawmakers, the recommendations include several short-term and long-term improvements to perimeter security, including the purchase of “removable and rapidly deployable fences”, which cost dozens of millions of dollars.
In the long run, the draft recommendations suggest building an integrated system of walls and fences around the Capitol – the cost of which will be determined. One of the sources with knowledge of the recommendations insisted that the main option is to use mobile fences and the long-term suggestion should not be interpreted as the construction of a permanent wall around the Capitol.
The USCP and Pelosi office declined to comment on the draft recommendations.
The recommendation to build integrated fences and walls around the Capitol could lead to questions from lawmakers on both sides of the corridor, who made it clear that the complex should not look like a “fortress”.
On Thursday, USCP interim chief Yogananda Pittman refused to draw up a schedule to remove the fence and send the National Guard troops that remain in Washington back to their home states, despite bipartisan calls to reduce the security posture around the Capitol.
“We have no intention of keeping soldiers from the National Guard or this fence any longer than is really necessary. We are actively working with a reduced approach so that we can be sure that we will address three primary variables,” said Pittman during an audience. about security breaches related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
“One is the known threat to the environment, two are the vulnerabilities of the infrastructure and the third variable being the limitations that the US Capitol police know they have with respect to human capital and technological resources,” she added.
“Temporary infrastructure serves only to address vulnerabilities after the January 6 attack. Our priority is to ensure that members of Congress are safe and that the democratic process is protected. As soon as we have adequate infrastructure and human resources available, we will be inclined to move forward with removing the fence, “she said.
CNN previously reported that the USCP told lawmakers that the barbed wire fence around the Capitol should remain in place until at least September due to persistent security concerns related to threats against members of Congress.
Pelosi did not say definitively whether she supports the permanent siege around the Capitol. Future security decisions would be informed by the findings of Honoré’s analysis, a Pelosi aide told CNN earlier this month.