Norton to Introduce Bill to Make D.C. Police Chief Member of Capitol Police Board

Press Release

In the wake of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and based on the suggestion of District of Columbia Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she will introduce a bill that would make the chief of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) an ex officio, non-voting member of the Capitol Police Board (CPB). The CPB oversees the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP). Norton said that, as Congress considers reforms to the CPB, the CPB should appreciate the full context in which it operates, including its impact on D.C. residents, especially those who live close to the Capitol.

"Currently, no one on the CPB represents the interests of D.C. residents," Norton said. "This bill will ensure that D.C. will have a role in the decisions of the CPB, which affect D.C. residents more than any other Americans. The actions of the CPB significantly impact residents of the District, and this bill will ensure D.C. has a role in these important decisions."

The CPB consists of the House Sergeant at Arms, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, the USCP chief, and the Architect of the Capitol. The USCP chief serves in an ex-officio capacity and is a non-voting member.

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