Draft:United States Capitol Police Office of Inspector General

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The United States Capitol Police Office of Inspector General (USCP OIG) is an independent, nonpartisan oversight office within the United States Capitol Police (USCP), the federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the U.S. Congress and the Capitol complex. Established by statute in 2005 (2 USC 1909), the OIG conducts audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations to detect and prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement within the Capitol Police. The Inspector General reports to the Capitol Police Board and operates under authorities similar to portions of those granted by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The office gained national attention for its post-January 6, 2021 reviews of the USCP’s operations, which produced a series of “Flash Reports” that informed congressional oversight and reform efforts.[1]

Overview

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The USCP OIG promotes economy, efficiency, and integrity in USCP operations and seeks to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and threats to public safety. Its oversight functions include audits, performance evaluations, and investigations.

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The office was created under statute 2 USC 1909 and partially mirrors the framework of the Inspector General Act of 1978. Key provisions include:

  • The Inspector General (IG) is appointed by the Capitol Police Board, based on integrity and demonstrated expertise, to a five-year term, renewable for up to two additional terms;
  • Removal of the IG requires a unanimous vote of the Board’s voting members, with notice to congressional oversight committees;
  • Authority to investigate complaints, access agency records, and issue findings and recommendations.[2]

History and organization

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Congress mandated the establishment of the OIG in 2005. The office reports to the Capitol Police Board and functions independently of USCP. It publishes semiannual reports to Congress, annual performance plans, management challenges, financial audits, and investigative reviews on its official reports webpage.[3]

Inspectors General

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Name Term start Term end Notes
Carl W. Hoecker 10 July 2006 11 February 2013 First Inspector General of the USCP.[4]
Faye F. Ropella November 2013 March 2018 Sworn in November 2013 and retired on 23 March 2018.[5]
Michael A. Bolton 20 January 2019 24 April 2022 Oversaw early post-January 6 reviews before retiring in 2022.[6][7]
(Acting) Ronald Gregory 24 April 2022 29 January 2023 Served as Acting IG following Bolton’s departure.[8]
Ron Russo 29 January 2023 February 2024 Appointed by the Capitol Police Board; served through January 2024.[9][10][11]
David T. Harper 5 February 2024 Incumbent Current Inspector General.[12]

Oversight activities

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The OIG issues audits, evaluations, and investigative reports concerning USCP operations, personnel, and resource use. Examples include:[3]

  • Annual Performance Plan (FY 2024)
  • Top Management Challenges Facing the USCP (FY 2024)
  • Independent Auditor’s Report on USCP Financial Statements (FY 2023 & FY 2022)
  • Review of U.S. Capitol Police Communications Section’s Dispatch and Call-Taking Process (2022)

Oversight following January 6, 2021

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After the January 6 events involving the U.S. Capitol, the OIG conducted a series of internal reviews known as “Flash Reports.” Between February and October 2021, seven reports were issued to Congress, producing 103 recommendations.[13]

Flash Reports (2021 Series)
  1. Operational Planning & Intelligence – February 2021
  2. Civil Disturbance Unit & Intelligence – March 2021
  3. Counter-Surveillance & Threat Assessment – April 2021
  4. Containment Emergency Response Team (CERT) & First Responders Unit – June 2021
  5. Command & Coordination Bureau – July 2021
  6. Hazardous Incident Response Division (HIRD) & K-9 Unit – August 2021
  7. Dignitary Protection Division & Human Capital – October 2021

Impact and challenges

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The OIG is a key safeguard for accountability within the United States Capitol Police. Its work has identified weaknesses in planning, intelligence, and command coordination while guiding organizational reform and improved preparedness. Continuing challenges include timeliness of public releases, an independent budget, and its lack of law enforcement status when three of the other four Legislative OIGs have such status and is the only Legislative Branch OIG that provides oversight of a law enforcement agency.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Office of the Inspector General". United States Capitol Police. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. ^ "2 U.S.C. § 1909 – Inspector General for the United States Capitol Police". Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b "OIG Reports". United States Capitol Police. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Carl Hoecker". Wikipedia. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Congressional Record – Honoring Ms. Fay Ropella" (PDF). Congress.gov. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Capitol Police Board Selects New USCP Inspector General". United States Capitol Police. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Capitol Police inspector general Michael Bolton retires". Roll Call. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Capitol Police inspector general Michael Bolton retires". Roll Call. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Ronald P. Russo — Bio for House Administration Oversight Hearing" (PDF). Congress.gov. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Capitol Police inspector general to retire after less than a year on the job". Roll Call. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  11. ^ "New Capitol Police inspector general selected". Roll Call. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  12. ^ "David Harper Becomes Inspector General of United States Capitol Police". Homeland Security Today. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Statement of Inspector General Ronald P. Russo" (PDF). Congress.gov. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
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