The United States Capitol Police says that 35 officers are under investigation and 6 have been suspended without pay in response to the Capitol riot on January 6.
The Capitol Police Union on Friday called it a “witch hunt” against rank-and-file officers, deflecting responsibility from the top.
“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,” the department said in a statement.
In response, Capitol Police uinion chairman Gus Papathanasiou issued a statement, saying he could not 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.”
The riot has also surfaced long-simmering tensions between the union and its leadership. The union took a vote of no confidence in its departmental leadership earlier this week, with 92% voting in no confidence in Pittman.
See the story at USA Today
