Rep. Tim Ryan: Two Capitol Police Officers Suspended, Cop or Guard Member Arrested in Investigations in Storming of Congress

 Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) said Monday that two Capitol Police officers have been suspended and that either a National Guard member or Capitol cop was arrested as a result of investigations into the storming of the Capitol last Wednesday. A total of ten to fifteen officers are being investigated, Ryan said. Ryan has oversight of the Capitol Police as Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee.

Ryan said one officer was suspended for posing for a selfie with a protester inside the Capitol and another was suspended for wearing a MAGA hat and apparently directing protesters in the building.

The Hill reported Ryan said there is no indication of an inside job, “Ryan, who chairs the funding committee that oversees the Capitol Police, said there was no evidence of a broader “inside job,” or indications that members of the force had cooperated with or organized with the insurrectionists…Ryan confirmed that there were between 10 to 15 total investigations for misconduct during the event taking place.”

Ryan made the remarks during a virtual press conference:

Longer version:

Selfie cop video:

 Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman confirms the investigations and suspensions.

STATEMENT OF ACTING CHIEF YOGANANDA PITTMAN
January 11, 2021 Press Release
As the Acting Chief of Police, I am committed to leading the United States Capitol Police (USCP) Department through this challenging time.

 I want to first extend my gratitude for the kind words and prayers we have received following the loss of two of our USCP family last week. Officer Brian D. Sicknick and Officer Howard C. Liebengood were highly respected police officers, and both will be greatly missed. The Department continues to provide extensive support services to their families as well as to USCP employees to assist them through this difficult time.

The Department is fully engaged with our law enforcement partners throughout the National Capital Region on the Federal, state, and local levels. We have comprehensive, coordinated plans in place to ensure the safety and security of the Congressional community and the upcoming Presidential Inauguration. There will be no public access to the Capitol Grounds during the Inauguration, and the event will go on as scheduled.

The Department also has been actively reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and policies. Our Office of Professional Responsibility will investigate these behaviors for disciplinary action, up to, and including, termination. Several USCP officers have already been suspended pending the outcome of their investigations.

The investigation of the January 6 riot is continuing in collaboration with numerous law enforcement agencies and the USCP, along with its law enforcement partners, are aggressively working to identify and arrest those involved in the destruction of property at the U.S. Capitol Complex. It is our intention to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.