Posted on May 10, 2021
Watchdog: Capitol Police Need To Boost Counterintelligence To Address Rising Threats
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A U.S. Capitol Police watchdog told a congressional committee on Monday that the agency was not equipped to handle the flow of intelligence ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the complex, and he focused his testimony on a suggestion that the force create a dedicated counterintelligence unit.
Inspector General Michael Bolton, as part of a series of investigative reports and related House Administration Committee hearings, has drilled down on Capitol Police deficiencies revealed by the riot that he says must be addressed to transform the department from its reactionary stance to a protective agency.
That includes a new counterintelligence unit, improving training and staffing for its existing threat assessment section and sharing relevant findings throughout the force.
"A standalone entity with a defined mission dedicated to counter-surveillance activities in support of protecting the congressional community would improve the department's ability to identify and disrupt individuals or groups intent on engaging in illegal activity directed at the congressional community for its legislative process," Bolton told the committee.
The comments were part of a hearing centered on the latest of so-called inspector general flash reports, marking the third such analysis Bolton has shared with lawmakers since the siege.
Inspector General Michael Bolton, as part of a series of investigative reports and related House Administration Committee hearings, has drilled down on Capitol Police deficiencies revealed by the riot that he says must be addressed to transform the department from its reactionary stance to a protective agency.
That includes a new counterintelligence unit, improving training and staffing for its existing threat assessment section and sharing relevant findings throughout the force.
"A standalone entity with a defined mission dedicated to counter-surveillance activities in support of protecting the congressional community would improve the department's ability to identify and disrupt individuals or groups intent on engaging in illegal activity directed at the congressional community for its legislative process," Bolton told the committee.
The comments were part of a hearing centered on the latest of so-called inspector general flash reports, marking the third such analysis Bolton has shared with lawmakers since the siege.
Watchdog: Capitol Police Need To Boost Counterintelligence To Address Rising Threats
Posted from npr.org
Washington
Congress
Police
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Intelligence
Posted 3 y ago
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Isn't that what the FBI and homeland security is suppose to do? Then provide the Capital Police the intel.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
-Threats against lawmakers are up 107%
"Ahead of Monday's hearing, Capitol Police responded to Bolton's latest report, noting that as of Friday, threats to members are up 107% compared with the same period a year ago.
"Provided the unique threat environment we currently live in, the Department is confident the number of cases will continue to increase," Capitol Police said in a statement.
The agency noted that its threat assessment unit, which employs about 30 agents, saw 9,000 cases last year — more than the 8,000 that the U.S. Secret Service, which has about 100 agents, had during that same period.
Davis said he was disturbed to see the increase, but comparably, arrests and indictments have not kept pace. And he agrees it's time to increase the Capitol Police bandwidth to address these concerns.
"If we have the intelligence about an attack or threat against a member of Congress or against the Capitol complex, but do not have the correct policies or people in place to properly gather, interpret and operationalize that intel, then what's the point?" Davis asked.
Capitol Police said the agency is in the midst of implementing some of Bolton's latest recommendations. However, the department said it will need more money to implement others.
"The USCP agrees a stand-alone counter-surveillance unit would be valuable," the agency said. "However, in order to fully implement this recommendation, the Department would require additional resources for new employees, training, and vehicles as well as approval from Congressional stakeholders."
-Threats against lawmakers are up 107%
"Ahead of Monday's hearing, Capitol Police responded to Bolton's latest report, noting that as of Friday, threats to members are up 107% compared with the same period a year ago.
"Provided the unique threat environment we currently live in, the Department is confident the number of cases will continue to increase," Capitol Police said in a statement.
The agency noted that its threat assessment unit, which employs about 30 agents, saw 9,000 cases last year — more than the 8,000 that the U.S. Secret Service, which has about 100 agents, had during that same period.
Davis said he was disturbed to see the increase, but comparably, arrests and indictments have not kept pace. And he agrees it's time to increase the Capitol Police bandwidth to address these concerns.
"If we have the intelligence about an attack or threat against a member of Congress or against the Capitol complex, but do not have the correct policies or people in place to properly gather, interpret and operationalize that intel, then what's the point?" Davis asked.
Capitol Police said the agency is in the midst of implementing some of Bolton's latest recommendations. However, the department said it will need more money to implement others.
"The USCP agrees a stand-alone counter-surveillance unit would be valuable," the agency said. "However, in order to fully implement this recommendation, the Department would require additional resources for new employees, training, and vehicles as well as approval from Congressional stakeholders."
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