Retired Army General Russel Honore unveiled a study on the safety of Capitol after the January 6 attack and briefed members of Congress on Monday on the findings and recommendations of his team.
The House is expected to incorporate Honore’s findings into a new funding bill to promote security on campus and to pay for some of the expenses incurred after January 6 – such as the implementation of the national guard and the clean-up. and repair costs.
Here are six key points from his report:
More Capitol police officers
The report found that on January 6, Capitol police were “understaffed, inadequately equipped and inadequately trained” to secure the Capitol and members. It is proposed that all existing vacancies on the force be filled – approximately 233 officers – and another 854 officers be added to various roles, including as intelligence specialists, civilian disruption units and worthy protection agents.
If carried out, the Capitol Police Department, which already has more than 2,000 officers, would be one of the largest departments in the entire country.
To meet the security needs of the Capitol, officers worked nearly 720,000 overtime hours in fiscal year 2021, an ‘unsustainable’ model for the department moving forward.
In addition, the report recommends adding more explosive K9 units to help Capitol police search for explosive devices on the Capitol complex due to the number of vacant units and ‘older’ dogs. It is also proposed that the department’s mounted unit, which was disbanded in 2005, be relocated to serve as a ‘power multiplier’ in areas with large trade to control crowds.
The report also recommends better training for officers on policing tactics and more opportunities for leadership development.
Honore’s team recommended the use of body cameras ‘to improve police accountability and protect officers from false allegations of misconduct’, and more support for the department’s intelligence.
New team for quick response
The report called for the establishment of a permanent rapid reaction force to help Capitol police and other DC law enforcement agencies respond to crises in the district and future emergencies on Capitol Hill – consisting of federal law enforcement or a military police battalion under the command. of the DC National Guard.
The report also recommends that the creation of civil defense units within the Capitol Police should be kept on alert when Congress is in session, and that all officers should be trained in civil disturbance and their own unrest to use in emergencies.
More obstacles around the Capitol?
The report recommends a “mobile fencing option” that can be quickly assembled and removed, instead of the temporary fencing that currently surrounds the Capitol, which requires a “significant” number of personnel to patrol.
A retractable fencing system and a more integrated system of cameras, sensors and alarms can enable an open campus, while security forces offer better options to protect the complex and its members if a threat arises, ‘the judges write in the report .
Adjusting the order chain
The report found that the Capitol Police Board’s decision-making process was ‘too slow and cumbersome’ to respond effectively on January 6 when National Guard troops took hours to arrive at the Capitol site to assist police. to clean the halls of Congress. It recommended that the Capitol Police Chief request the assistance of federal law enforcement and the National Guard in emergencies, without first signing the sign – an opaque body of four people that includes the chief, the Capitol’s architect. , and the House and Senate Arms Sergeants, appointed by congressional leaders.
The report also recommends an “independent review” of the effectiveness of the Capitol Police Board’s “authority” over the department.
Background checks and more difficult access points
Honore’s team recommended that the screening procedures used on campus for legislators and congressmen be revamped.
“The required background checks for identity cardholders and the use of card readers throughout the complex will reduce the risks from within threats and increase the safety of all members, staff and legislators,” the report said.
The report also suggests repairing and securing the doors and windows around the Capitol used by rioters to break into the building, and erecting screen portals for staff and visitors to the complex to make it easier for the Capitol police to monitor visitors looking for the building.
Member safety reconsideration
With reference to the growing number of threats to members of Congress, the report recommends that members of the Dignity Protection Division be expanded to better protect lawmakers at home and in Washington. Currently, only members of the leadership have full-time security details.
The report also recommends setting up a new office to “centrally manage” lawmakers’ journeys from their districts to the Capitol, in collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners.
Prior to the release of the report, Republicans confronted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Honore for conducting the review, citing his increasingly biased tone on Twitter and attacks on Republicans.
“While there may be some worthy recommendations, General Honore’s infamous biased bias questions the rationality of appointing him to lead this important security review,” said GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California. Sunday said in a statement. “It also raises the unacceptable possibility that the Speaker wants a certain result: turning the Capitol into a fortress.”