The U.S. Park Police union, members of which came to the aid of the U.S. Capitol Police as pro-Trump protesters overran the Capitol grounds Wednesday, condemned political leaders who have criticized law enforcement’s handling of the chaos.
A day after President-elect Joe Biden said the mostly white crowd was treated differently than Black Lives Matter protesters, Park Police rallied behind their fellow officers, who were also criticized by House members and many media outlets.
“It is disheartening, to say the least, when our officers return home to see inaccurate and biased news reports that feature Members of Congress, from both political parties, who continue to use law enforcement officers as pawns in the political process,” said Kenneth Spencer, the chairman of the U.S. Park Police Fraternal Order of Police, in a statement shared with Secrets.
There were more bodies, and more backup, and more arrests, when activists were fighting for healthcare. This is not just an operational failure. It is a catastrophic moral failure. We don’t just need reform and new procedures, we need new leadership. Trust cannot be rebuilt. https://t.co/EzVJVrWySg
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) January 7, 2021
“Officers of the U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Park Police are public servants who are sworn to uphold law and order without bias of any kind, regardless of the political winds of the day. Our officers hold this obligation as sacred and are deeply offended when politicians suggest otherwise,” he added.
Several police forces joined in to help the Capitol Police, including the District’s force, as well as officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Secret Service.
Still, the Park Police union was critical of the poor planning by the Capitol Police for the event.
Said Spencer: “As this disgraceful event unfolded, the U.S. Park Police provided tactical and command support for the U.S. Capitol Police. Upon arrival, our officers on the scene immediately recognized the dangerous environment that was developing, and it was clear that the management for the United States Capitol Police had wildly underestimated the risk for violence at the demonstration. Despite the reckless planning by their management, and at great risk to their own personal safety, Capitol Police officers continued to serve with dignity and professionalism amid the overwhelming chaos and hostility.”
The statement added, “Ultimately, they were overrun by the mob and many of our law enforcement brothers and sisters were seriously injured, and one is now dead, putting their lives on the line to save the building and protect our elected legislators.”
Biden: No one can tell me that if it had been a group of Black Lives Matter protestors yesterday, they would have been treated very differently. We all know that’s true.
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 7, 2021
The controversy has already prompted the head of the Capitol Police to resign. The shooting by a Capitol Police officer of Trump supporter Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt as she tried to enter the Speaker’s Lobby is also under fire.
In the melee, U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick died. A homicide investigation has opened.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our Brothers in Blue and our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Officer Brian Sicknick,” said Spencer. “We condemn Wednesday’s violence and insurrection and are fully prepared to hold those accountable and assist in the prosecution of anyone who breaks the law,” he added.
