Capitol Police Chief on January 6th Morale and Officer Feedback

Officer Feedback and Department Climate

• 💬 The Capitol Police have an official process for officers to provide feedback, but fear of retaliation prevents some from speaking up.
• 📊 A department-wide climate survey was recently completed to gather insights on how officers feel about various aspects of their work.
• 🤝 Regular meetings are held with the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) to solicit feedback from leadership.

Impact of January 6th on Morale

• ⚠️ January 6th is described as a traumatic day for the campus, resulting in at least 140 injured officers and several deaths in the immediate aftermath.
• 🎖️ There's a sense that a commemorative plaque for the heroism displayed that day has not yet been put up, which may affect morale.
• 🤷‍♂️ Opinions on the events of January 6th vary widely among officers, with some feeling their service was honored and others feeling overlooked.

The Effect of Pardons on Officer Morale

• ⚖️ The pardons of January 6th rioters are a significant concern for officer morale, with many officers feeling that their sacrifices were not valued.
• 🗣️ While specific questions about pardons weren't in the climate survey, the Chief received significant feedback on the issue.
• 🚨 The Chief stated that when officers are assaulted and those who assault them are pardoned, it sends a discouraging message to law enforcement nationwide.
• 📈 It is believed that such pardons may encourage similar actions in the future.