Capitol Police Board looking for permanent chief to lead force: report

The Capitol Police Board has launched a search for a permanent replacement for the U.S. Capitol Police chief, who resigned in the wake of deadly Jan. 6 breach of the building, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Capitol Police have been under the direction of acting Chief Yogananda Pittman since Steven Sund stepped down in January but she has faced intense scrutiny over the force’s failure to secure the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Sources close to the matter told the AP the search for a permanent police will be nationwide. Pittman can apply but is not guaranteed the position, the sources said.

The AP notes Pittman lost a great deal of support among the Capitol police force after the riot, with the police force’s union voting to show no confidence in her.

Since the attack on the Capitol, Pittman has testified before congressional committees investigating the breach and appealed to lawmakers for help in securing the continued presence of National Guard members at the Capitol.

Pittman is the first Black and female Capitol police chief, the AP notes, after previously becoming one of the first two Black women to be promoted to captain.

The members of the Capitol Police Board include House and Senate sergeants at arms as well as the Architect of the Capitol. 

Timothy Paul Blodgett was sworn in as acting House sergeant at arms on Jan. 11 after his predecessor Paul Irving resigned due to the Capitol breach. Jennifer A. Hemingway was sworn in as acting Senate sergeant at arms on Jan. 7 after former sergeant at arms Michael C. Stenger also resigned.