OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The U.S. Capitol Police union, two years after a deadly riot at the seat of the federal government, is still searching for answers from senior leaders and added that the force remains woefully unprepared for a similar incident as the riot that took place there on Jan. 6, 2021, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The statement came as Republicans took control of the House to begin the 118th Congress with an eye toward dismantling the so-called Jan. 6 Committee set up by outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), ostensibly to not only learn about the origins of the riot but also to recommend measures to prevent a similar incident in the future.
“First, how could we have been so unprepared given the intelligence USCP had weeks ahead of the attack?” asked Capitol Police Officers’ Union Chairman Gus Papathanasiou, according to Just the News. “Second, why hasn’t anyone at the top of USCP’s leadership responsible for these intelligence failures been held accountable?”
The outlet noted further:
More than 140 Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police officers sustained injuries during the breach of the Capitol, with one dying of natural causes after sustaining injuries on January 6 and four more committing suicide following the event.
The release further cited Capitol Police’s receipt of intelligence reports about an upcoming effort to storm the Capitol and did little to prepare for such an occurrence.
“What infuriates me, is knowing our leaders had intelligence that should have driven a massive security response,” Papathanasiou said. “If then Assistant Chief Pittman, who was in charge of intelligence, had shared that information, it would have allowed us to prepare properly, coordinate with partner agencies and the National Guard as the proper show of force would have been on display, and January 6th possibly would have turned out differently.”
“It’s our belief, the Capitol would not have been breached had the global fence been up and law enforcement been prepared,” he continued, adding that there are several officers coming up for retirement and that there is uncertainty about retaining those that remain with the force.
Papathanasiou then said that congressional action to improve the force is vital to ensure that a future disaster can’t happen again.
“We must all work together to support law enforcement throughout this country and provide the necessary tools and resources for officers to do their jobs and safely go home to their loved ones at the end of every shift. I just hope that we are not still talking about this on the third anniversary,” he said.
The union statement continued:
In his book published and released this week, former USCP Chief Steven Sund reveals, the “biggest intelligence failure was within my department”, and warns it could easily happen again, with many of the factors that left the Capitol vulnerable still unfixed.
It’s been reported as early as the first week December 2020, the USCP began receiving intelligence reports of online groups openly discussing coordinated attacks on the Capitol. The intelligence picture worsened as January 6th approached.
“First and foremost, the global fence that was already waiting to be erected for the coming Biden inauguration could have been in place before January 6th. It’s our belief, the Capitol would not have been breached had the global fence been up and law enforcement been prepared,” Papathanasiou added.
“Without that fencing, it was the courage and bravery of our officers who were able to hold the line long enough that day to safely evacuate the Vice President, the Congressional leadership, Members of Congress, and their staffs,” he noted further.
“Most USCP officers battled without the protection of riot gear. There is no excuse for USCP management to not have issued riot gear given the intelligence they possessed.”
“My biggest concern right now continues to be manpower. In his security review just months after the attack, retired General Russel Honoré called for hiring nearly 900 new officers above our authorized level,” the union boss continued.
“24 months later, we are still 200 officers below our authorized level as reported by the USCP. Although we currently have classes in the academy that will bring some relief, we are not properly staffed to meet the threats we’re facing along with the constant daily mission requirements,” he said.
