US Capitol Police report reveals fateful failings
ABLISTERING internal report by the United States Capitol Police describes a multitude of mis-steps that left the force unprepared for the insurrection which saw hundreds of Donald Trump’s supporters laying siege to the Capitol.
The watchdog report, released internally last month, describes riot shields that shattered upon impact, expired weapons that could not be used, inadequate training and an intelligence division that had few set standards.
The report, obtained by the Associated Press ahead of a congressional hearing today, adds to what is already known about broader security and intelligence failures that Congress has been investigating since the January 6 incident.
Inspector general Michael A Bolton found that the department’s deficiencies were – and remain – widespread. Equipment was old and stored badly, leaders had failed to act on previous recommendations to improve intelligence, and there was a lack of current procedures for the Civil Disturbance Unit, a division that existed to ensure that legislative functions of Congress were not disrupted by civil unrest or protest activity. That was what happened on January 6 as Mr Trump’s supporters sought to overturn the presidential election in his favour, as Congress counted Electoral College votes.
The report comes as the Capitol Police force has suffered from plunging morale and has edged closer to crisis, as many officers have been working extra shifts and forced overtime to protect the Capitol after the insurrection.
Acting chief Yogananda Pittman received a vote of no confidence from the union in February, reflecting widespread distrust among the rank and file. The force is also grieving the deaths of two of their own – officer Brian Sicknick, who collapsed and died after engaging with protesters on January 6, and officer William Evans, who was killed on April 2 when he was hit by a car that rammed into a barricade outside the Senate.
The Capitol Police have so far refused to publicly release the report – marked throughout as “law enforcement sensitive” – despite congressional pressure to do so.
House of Representatives administration committee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren issued a statement in March that she had been briefed on the report, along with another internal document, and that it contained “detailed and disturbing findings and important recommendations”.
Mr Bolton is expected to give evidence before Mrs Lofgren’s panel today.
The report focuses heavily on failure of equipment and training on January 6 as Capitol Police were quickly overwhelmed by around 800 of Mr Trump’s supporters who pushed past them, beat them and broke windows and doors to get into the building. It also looks at missed intelligence as the insurrectionists planned the attack openly online, and as various agencies sent warnings that were disseminated incorrectly.
Mr Bolton found that in many cases department equipment had expired, but was not replaced. Riot shields that shattered upon impact as officers fended off the violent mob had been improperly stored, Mr Bolton found. Some weapons that could have fired tear gas were so old that officers did not feel comfortable using them.