Capitol Police union calls for additional officers; warns of potential exodus after death of Western Mass native William Evans masslive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from masslive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The union that represents the police officers who secure the Capitol are making an urgent appeal to Congress to ramp up security right away, saying they’re.
“The USCP has an authorized force level of 2072 officers,” Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee, said in a statement. “Right now, we are 233 officers below that level. We are struggling to meet existing mission requirements even with the officers working massive amounts of forced overtime.”
On Saturday morning, more jersey barriers were added to the area off of Constitution Avenue, where suspect Noah Green allegedly rammed two officers, including Evans, and lunged at them with a knife before he was shot and killed.
“He was so proud to be on that force and to serve and protect our lawmakers and our country,” Jason LaForest, a friend of Evans, said. “He had an infectious laugh and an infectious smile and he just enjoyed life. He was a terrific guy.”
“The USCP has an authorized force level of 2072 officers,” Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee, said in a statement. “Right now, we are 233 officers below that level. We are struggling to meet existing mission requirements even with the officers working massive amounts of forced overtime.”
On Saturday morning, more jersey barriers were added to the area off of Constitution Avenue, where suspect Noah Green allegedly rammed two officers, including Evans, and lunged at them with a knife before he was shot and killed.
“He was so proud to be on that force and to serve and protect our lawmakers and our country,” Jason LaForest, a friend of Evans, said. “He had an infectious laugh and an infectious smile and he just enjoyed life. He was a terrific guy.”