WASHINGTON — The Capitol Police force has not made the majority of his post-Jan. 6 recommendations, the department’s inspector general told a House committee Thursday. More training and intelligence gathering to anticipate and protect against threats to Congress are among the most pressing needs, he said.
The government watchdog has released eight reports over the last 14 months looking at the law enforcement failures that contributed to thousands of Americans entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The public quickly questioned why Capitol Police seemed so ill prepared for the insurrection attempt, which sent representatives and senators scrambling for safety and delayed certification of the 2020 presidential election results for several hours. The House Administration Committee is examining structural changes that might be needed to how the department operates, and who has authority over it.
Inspector General Michael Bolton told committee members that just 39 of his more than 100 recommendations for improving the department have been implemented. Bolton said the department has increased intelligence briefings for rank and file officers and improved planning for large events but still lacks proper training and intelligence gathering.
