US Capitol Police Union calls investigation of 35 officers ‘a witch hunt’

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Capitol Police Department has suspended six officers and is investigating 35 in total in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the building by a pro-Trump mob.

Five people died that day, including a USCP officer, Brian Sicknick. Several other officers were injured, and more officers died by suicide in the following days.“The investigation into the January 6 attack remains under investigation,” department spokesman John Stolnis said in a statement. “Our Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the actions of 35 police officers from that day. We currently have suspended six of those officers with pay. Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not in keeping with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline.”

7 On Your Side reached out to the U.S. Capitol Police Union, which provided this statement:

“The Union cannot comment on specific investigations because they’re private personal matters, but these investigations appear to be an attempt by USCp’s upper management to divert the attention away from their significant leadership failures of January 6th. Our Officers were uninformed, unprotected and unprepared as a result of the Department’s top leaders failing the Officers and the Congressional Community on Jan 6th. Our Officers along with MPD were outnumbered and fought for their lives in order to protect themselves and Congress. This is just a witch hunt by the Department’s top leaders and a continuation of the systemic failures that continue at the top. I think it’s sickening that the Department’s leaders are even investigating over 35 officers because of USCP’s top management’s immediate failures as they try to point the fingers at Officers who were applauded by Congress this past week. Why aren’t any of the Chiefs being investigated or suspended?”

More than 250 people face various charges in relation to the attack.

A large National Guard presence remains at the Capitol after thousands of troops were deployed to help secure the city for President Joe Biden’s inauguration.