The Capitol Police has been rejecting officer applicants at a rate three times the national average, during a time when significant staffing shortages have strained the department that protects lawmakers, the Capitol building and congressional offices.
Nearly half of recruits were turned away after pre-employment psychological evaluations were conducted by a screening company, which an internal watchdog had flagged almost four years ago for having an abnormally high failure rate, according to a series of letters obtained by CQ Roll Call.
That 2019 inspector general’s report also questioned the qualifications of those conducting screenings, and found the company was increasing fees and producing poor quality work, among other issues, the letters state.
