Topzle Topzle

United States Capitol Police

Updated: Wikipedia source

United States Capitol Police

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States with nationwide jurisdiction charged with protecting the United States Congress within the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories. It answers to the Capitol Police Board and is the only full-service federal law enforcement agency appointed by the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. The United States Capitol Police has the primary responsibility for protecting life and property, preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal acts, and enforcing traffic regulations throughout a complex of congressional buildings, parks, and thoroughfares. The Capitol Police has primary jurisdiction within buildings and grounds of the United States Capitol Complex. It also has concurrent jurisdiction with other law enforcement agencies, including the United States Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, in an area of approximately 200 blocks around the complex. Officers also have jurisdiction throughout the District of Columbia to take enforcement action when they observe or are made aware of crimes of violence while on official duties.

Additionally, they are charged with the protection of members of Congress, officers of Congress, and their families throughout the entire United States, its territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia. While performing protective functions, the Capitol Police have jurisdiction throughout the entire United States. It is informally considered as the sister agency of the United States Secret Service, which itself is responsible for the protection of the United States president and their Cabinet.

Infobox

Common name
U.S. Capitol Police
Abbreviation
USCP
Motto
"A Tradition of Service and Protection"
Formed
May 2, 1828; 197 years ago (1828-05-02)
Employees
2,249
Annual budget
$708 million (FY2023)
Federal agency (Operations jurisdiction)
United States
Operations jurisdiction
United States
Legal jurisdiction
1. Any area of the United States when pursuant to their special duties. 2. Congressional buildings, parks, and thoroughfares. Members of Congress, Officers of Congress, and their families throughout the United States, its territories and possessions.
Governing body
Capitol Police Board
Constituting instrument
mw- United States Code, Title 2, Chapter 29
General nature
Federal law enforcementCivilian police
Headquarters
119 D Street, NEWashington, D.C., U.S. 20510
Police Officer / Special Agent (for specialized members)s
1,879
Civilians
300
Agency executive
Michael G. Sullivan, Chief of Police
Units
10 Sworn Specialties: Dignitary Protection Threat Assessment Intelligence Investigations Criminal Investigations Hazardous Devices (Bomb Squad) Containment and Emergency Response Team Patrol & K-9 Civilian Specialties: Hazardous Materials Response Team Intelligence Analysis Emergency Management

Tables

· Leadership › Capitol Police Board
Thomas E. Austin
Thomas E. Austin
Name
Thomas E. Austin
Role
Member
Member since
June 24, 2024
Title
Architect of the Capitol
Jennifer Hemingway
Jennifer Hemingway
Name
Jennifer Hemingway
Role
Chair
Member since
January 3, 2025
Title
Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate
Michael G. Sullivan
Michael G. Sullivan
Name
Michael G. Sullivan
Role
Ex-Officio Member
Member since
June 30, 2025
Title
Chief, United States Capitol Police
Name
Role
Member since
Title
William McFarland
Member
January 7, 2023
Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
Thomas E. Austin
Member
June 24, 2024
Architect of the Capitol
Jennifer Hemingway
Chair
January 3, 2025
Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate
Michael G. Sullivan
Ex-Officio Member
June 30, 2025
Chief, United States Capitol Police
· Rank structure and insignia
Chief of Police
Chief of Police
Title
Chief of Police
Insignia
Four stars
Assistant Chief of Police
Assistant Chief of Police
Title
Assistant Chief of Police
Insignia
Three stars
Chief of Operations
Chief of Operations
Title
Chief of Operations
Insignia
Three stars
Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief
Title
Deputy Chief
Insignia
Two stars
Inspector
Inspector
Title
Inspector
Insignia
One Oak leaf
Captain
Captain
Title
Captain
Insignia
Two bars connected
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Title
Lieutenant
Insignia
One bar
Sergeant
Sergeant
Title
Sergeant
Insignia
Three chevrons
Corporal
Corporal
Title
Corporal
Insignia
Two chevrons
Private First Class
Private First Class
Title
Private First Class
Insignia
One chevron over rocker
Private with training
Private with training
Title
Private with training
Insignia
One chevron
Private
Private
Title
Private
Insignia
No Insignia
Title
Insignia
Chief of Police
Four stars
Assistant Chief of Police
Three stars
Chief of Operations
Three stars
Deputy Chief
Two stars
Inspector
One Oak leaf
Captain
Two bars connected
Lieutenant
One bar
Sergeant
Three chevrons
Corporal
Two chevrons
Private First Class
One chevron over rocker
Private with training
One chevron
Private
No Insignia

References

  1. uscp.gov
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/our-history
  2. Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2023 Legislative Branch Funding Bill
    https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/appropriations-committee-releases-fiscal-year-2023-legislative-branch-funding
  3. "Michael G. Sullivan Sworn in as Chief of the United States Capitol Police"
    https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/michael-g-sullivan-sworn-chief-united-states-capitol-police
  4. "2 U.S. Code § 1966 – Protection of Members of Congress, officers of Congress, and members of their families"
    https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/1966
  5. USCP.gov
    https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/uscp-threat-assessment-cases-2024
  6. www.ojp.gov
    https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/us-capitol-police-and-supreme-court-police-expanding-their
  7. LII / Legal Information Institute
    https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/chapter-29/subchapter-II
  8. LII / Legal Information Institute
    https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/1975
  9. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/01/08/capitol-police-failure-456237
  10. mpdc.dc.gov
    https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/cooperative-agreements
  11. First Branch Forecast
    https://firstbranchforecast.com/2019/08/07/the-long-arm-of-the-u-s-capitol-police/
  12. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/oversight/congressional-committees
  13. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/05/politics/us-capitol-police-chief-search/index.html
  14. www.weny.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210507173422/https://www.weny.com/story/43828740/insurrection-fallout-the-hunt-for-a-new-us-capitol-police-chief
  15. Congressional Research Service
    https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11570
  16. House Committee on Appropriations
    https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/appropriations-committee-releases-fiscal-year-2023-legislative-branch-funding
  17. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/careers/police-officer-salary-benefits
  18. United States Capitol Police
    http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/faq.php
  19. www.everycrsreport.com
    https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R42631.html
  20. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/bureaus-and-offices
  21. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/careers/uscp-police-officer-opportunities-professional-growth
  22. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/our-history
  23. United States Capitol Police
    https://web.archive.org/web/20200318114538/https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/oversight/capitol-police-board
  24. Office of Inspector General website Retrieved 20 February 2022.
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/office-inspector-general
  25. Sarah D. Wire. (17 February 2022). "Watchdog says Capitol Police need training, culture shift a year after Jan. 6 attack
    https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-02-17/capitol-police-made-few-post-jan-6-recommended-changes-watchdog-to-testify
  26. USA JOBS
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070807145312/http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI51.asp
  27. "United States Capitol Police Containment & Emergency Response Team"
    http://www.specwarnet.net/taclink/Police/WA_DC_Capital_Police_CERT.htm
  28. United States Capitol Police
    http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/home.php
  29. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/our-history
  30. TIME
    https://time.com/5928204/capitol-police-mob-attack/
  31. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/office-inspector-general
  32. Public Law 108-7 Archived 2010-12-07 at the Wayback Machine Sec. 1015 (117 Stat. 363) enacted by U.S. Congress on Februa
    http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:hj2enr.txt.pdf
  33. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/our-history
  34. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/uscp-fast-facts
  35. CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/howard-liebengood-dies-capitol-police-officer-riots/
  36. ProPublica
    https://www.propublica.org/article/no-one-took-us-seriously-black-cops-warned-about-racist-capitol-police-officers-for-years
  37. United States Capitol Police Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan, FY23-FY26
    https://www.uscp.gov/sites/uscapitolpolice.house.gov/files/USCP%20Equity%20Inclusion%20Strategic%20Plan_Final%20May%2011.pdf
  38. Business Insider
    https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/rudy-giuliani-called-for-trial-by-combat-before-trump-supporters-stormed-the-capitol/articleshow/80154832.cms
  39. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/06/georgia-election-latest-news-senate-ossoff-warnock-democrats-republicans-trump-biden
  40. The Boston Globe
    https://archive.today/20210107014042/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/06/metro/heres-what-trump-told-his-supporters-before-many-them-stormed-capitol-wednesday/
  41. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/us-capitol-lockdown/index.html
  42. Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/capitol-police-werent-prepared-for-rioters-authorities-say-11609978798
  43. Fox 5 DC
    https://www.fox5dc.com/news/u-s-capitol-police-issue-statement-on-pro-trump-riots
  44. United States Capitol Police
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210108061821/https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/loss-uscp-colleague-brian-d-sicknick
  45. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/07/954333542/four-dead-police-injured-dozens-arrested-after-siege-at-the-u-s-capitol
  46. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/sections/insurrection-at-the-capitol/2021/01/10/955461525/capitol-police-officer-who-responded-to-mob-attack-dies-off-duty
  47. Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/actions-by-police-before-trump-supporters-attacked-capitol-backfired-spectacularly-11610064600
  48. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/protesters-storm-capitol-hill-building.html
  49. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/capitol-riots-what-happened/index.html
  50. ProPublica
    https://www.propublica.org/article/capitol-rioters-planned-for-weeks-in-plain-sight-the-police-werent-ready
  51. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-capitol-security-insight-idUSKBN29C0R5
  52. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/law-enforcement-officials-across-u-s-shocked-police-failure-stop-n1253193
  53. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/Capitol-cops-police.html
  54. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/06/capitol-riots-police-firings-455698
  55. CNN
    https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/capitol-police-reaction-details/index.html
  56. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/11/capitol-police-officers-suspended-riot-inauguration
  57. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-capitol-police-officers-suspended-alleged-actions-during-capitol-riot-n1258329
  58. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2021/02/18/6-capitol-police-officers-suspended-for-actions-during-capitol-riot/
  59. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/11/955598516/in-historic-first-u-s-capitol-police-name-yogananda-pittman-as-acting-chief
  60. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/capitol-security-threat-04-02-21/index.html
  61. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/executive-team
  62. United States Capitol Police
    https://www.uscp.gov/the-department/office-inspector-general
  63. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/capitol-police-riot-field-offices-b1879195.html
  64. Press release. (22 December 2021). "Klobuchar, Blunt Legislation to Provide U.S. Capitol Police Chief with Authority to
    https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/12/klobuchar-blunt-legislation-to-provide-u-s-capitol-police-chief-with-authority-to-request-emergency-assistance-from-national-guard-signed-into-law
  65. The Hill staff. (14 December 2021). "Congress passes bill allowing for easier National Guard defense of Capitol after Ja
    https://news.yahoo.com/congress-passes-bill-allowing-easier-024752760.html
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.