Department of Justice investigates police officers’ role in Capitol riot
The US Department of Justice is investigating current and former police officers in connection with the Capitol riot, officials said on Friday.
The department has already opened 275 criminal cases and charged nearly 100 people in connection with the unrest on January 6, US investigators said. The number of cases was expected to rise, said Michael Sherwin, acting US Attorney for the District of Columbia.
“Unfortunately, as this case goes on, we’re seeing indications that law enforcement officers, both former and current, maybe who were off-duty, participating in this riot activity,” Mr Sherwin said.
“We don’t care what your profession is, who you are, who you are affiliated with. If you are conducting or engaged in criminal activity, we will charge you and you will be arrested.”
Two of those charged this week were police officers from the state of Virginia. They took part in the riots while off duty, the Justice Department said.
The Seattle Police Department has put two officers on paid leave while it investigates whether they were involved.
“We are not cutting deals with anyone. Even if people are self-reporting, they will be held accountable,” Mr Sherwin said.
But Mr Sherwin said authorities do not have any evidence of plots to capture or kill elected officials during the attack.
He said “there are breadcrumbs of organisation”, but it will take weeks, if not months, to determine whether there was “overarching command and control”.
FBI assistant director Steven D’Antuano said at the briefing that authorities have received more than 140,000 photos and videos from the public during the investigation.
“Even your friends and family are tipping us off,” he said.
“The full force of the FBI is investigating the heinous acts we saw last week. We will leave no stone unturned until we locate and apprehend anyone who participated in the violence.”
The FBI said it has received reports of plans to stage nationwide armed protests in the next few days.