Former D.C. police Chief Charles Ramsey will sign on as a security consultant to Congress in what may be the first step on his road to a top security job at the Capitol.
Ramsey, 56, will be a contract consultant to his old friend Terrance W. Gainer, the Senate sergeant at arms.
“The Capitol community is indeed fortunate to have captured some of Chief Ramsey’s time and expertise,” Gainer said in an e-mail to The Examiner. “He’s a pro and a friend and those are good things.”
The two men worked together in the Chicago Police Department through the 1980s and met again when Gainer served as Ramsey’s deputy in the D.C. police department.
Ramsey, who retired as D.C. chief in December after nine years on the job, told The Examiner Friday in a phone interview that he will review a classified security report and suggest ways to help the Capitol defend itself and still stay open to the public.
“I’m just thrilled,” Ramsey said.
But Ramsey’s recent retirement and his connection with Gainer has led to speculation that he’ll be the House’s next sergeant at arms. Wilson “Bill” Livingood has been in his post since 1995. Capitol sources said that Livingood has been told by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that she’ll only keep him on for a year.
Pelosi’s spokesman refused comment on those rumors.
Livingood probably has not helped hiscause by requesting a large military plane to fly Pelosi to and from her San Francisco district. Republicans have seized on the request — which they said Pelosi herself made — as proof the Democrats aren’t committed to reforming Congress.
Anyone with information on Capitol security can call 202-459-4956.
