The new chief of the U.S. Capitol Police is a 21-year veteran of the force that has come under scrutiny after a serious security breach.
The U.S. Capitol Police Board chose Deputy Chief Phillip D. Morse Sr. to become the new chief. The North Carolina native will begin his new position today.
“The board is confident that Deputy Chief Morse will effectively lead the department as it moves forward into a new and exciting era,” said Wilson Livingood, Chairman U.S. Capitol Police Board.
Morse, 43, will be charged with recentering a force of more than 2,000 officers that has been without a permanent leader since Chief Terrance W. Gainer resigned last spring. Although the agency has grown since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, morale has waned.
Last month, a gunman was able to bypass at least three officers as he slipped through an unguarded door into the U.S. Capitol before being tackled by civilians.
Morse replaces Acting Chief Christopher McGaffin, who is retiring. Morse, who has a masters degree from Johns Hopkins University, has worked throughout the department.
He’s developed the security plan, evacuation, and emergency response for the 2004 Bush Inauguration.
He also managed the overall security planning for the 2004 Democratic and Republican Conventions.
He has been in charge of all police, security and protective operations at the Capitol building and has addressed emergency procedures and protocols.
