Nearly 14 months after the Capitol Insurrection, the Government Accountability Office issued a 115-page report. It urged the U.S. Capitol Police officers to provide additional crowd control training and pre-operational guidance.
There were 190 responses to concerns and suggestions about information sharing. One offering was that if they had any information on the morning 6th, other than ‘preparefor a long day’, they would have a different mindset as the group approached.
Over half of officers surveyed stated that the guidance and intelligence shared prior to and during the attack were “not at all clear” and “not provided.”
The report revealed that 150 officers recall 293 incidents of use-of force, with open hand pushing being the most common technique (91 incidents), batons (83 instances), and removing a firearm from its holster (37) incidents. In 17 cases, officers were reported to have pointed a firearm at an individual , though only one officer actually opened fire.
More than half of respondents stated that more training was required. Dozens of officers requested more courses on “very large, violent crowd control” and “more realistic training.”
The Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog found that approximately 114 U.S. Capitol Police officers sustained injuries after the seven-hour assault. The U.S. Capitol was damaged by $1.5 million due to the insurrection.
About 25% of respondents were discouraged or hesitant in using force due to fear of discipline actions. Many respondents stated that they didn’t feel empowered to take decisions about the use of force without supervision and acknowledged that optics were affecting security decision-making.
One surveyor said that he saw officers questioning whether or not they could use force out of fear of being in trouble. A mob of people violently forcing their way into Capitol is the best example of when force is appropriate. Several respondents felt the department wouldn’t back them, even if force was necessary in justifiable circumstances, according to the audit.
GAO found that departmental discussions following an attack are a positive step, but found that misinformation regarding force use was “persistent both prior and post-attack.”
The report concluded that “the events of January 6, 2021 raised significant questions about whether or not the Capitol Police is adequately equipped to respond effectively and efficiently to the current threat environment.” Although Capitol Police made some positive first steps, investigators concluded that the agency needed to “better understand and address officer hesitancy, concerns with the department and morale.”
The GAO found that the Capitol Police’s process for assessing and mitigating security risks to Capitol Complex was not thorough or documented. A year after the attack on U.S. Capitol, Congress’ investigative arm found that the U.S. Capitol Police Board “is not fulfilling their responsibility in supervising the Capitol Police’s protection for Congress and the Capitol Building.”
U.S. Capitol Police shared a statement with CBS News Monday that it “agree[s]” with the recommendations, which they have already addressed.”
