Capitol Police are “struggling to meet existing mission requirements” after this year’s second attack on the compound, union chief Gus Papathanasiou said in a statement this weekend, NBC News reports.
Because it is important: The union says the agency is approaching “a crisis of morale and strength numbers” just as calls for increased security are renewed in the wake of the death of Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans on Friday.
Driving the news: Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) To review Capitol security measures, told ABC “This Week” that the Capitol Police “will have to recruit a lot.” to comply with security measures. He proposed his task force last month.
- The plan calls for expanding the force by 1,100 officers and filling approximately 300 current vacancies.
- Papathanasiou asked Congress to implement the proposal, which also calls for more mobile or retractable fences.
What he says: “We are struggling to meet the requirements of the existing mission, even with officers working massive amounts of forced overtime,” Papathanasiou said, adding that the agency has 233 officers below its normal strength of 2,000 members.
- “In the next 3-5 years we have another 500 officers who will be eligible to retire. Many of these officers could post their retirement papers tomorrow. Many younger officers have confided to me that they are actively looking at other agencies and departments at this time. “
- “Now we have lost two officers in the line of duty this year, “he said.” Another officer took his own life and we have 80 officers who were seriously injured in the insurrection. Some of those injured officers may never return to duty. “
Go deeper: Capitol Review Panel Recommends More Cops and Moving Fences