Origins
The United States Capitol Police traces its origins to 1801, when a single watchman was hired to guard the Capitol building. Congress formalized the force in 1828, creating the position of Captain of the Watch with a small contingent of officers. For most of the nineteenth century, the Capitol Police remained a modest security force, supplemented by the Metropolitan Police during major events.
The force grew gradually with the Capitol Complex itself. The construction of additional office buildings—the Cannon House Office Building (1908), Russell Senate Office Building (1909), and subsequent structures—expanded the police jurisdiction. Throughout this period, security remained relatively relaxed by modern standards. Members of Congress mingled freely with constituents in Capitol corridors, and the building remained open to casual visitors.
The assassination of President McKinley (1901) and subsequent attacks on public figures prompted increased attention to congressional security, though the Capitol Police remained small compared to later decades. The true transformation came after the 1954 shooting attack on the House chamber by Puerto Rican nationalists, which wounded five representatives and demonstrated the vulnerability of the legislative branch.
Structure & Function
The Capitol Police today employs approximately 2,300 sworn officers and civilian staff, making it one of the largest police forces in the nation. The Chief of Police, appointed by the Capitol Police Board (comprising the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms and Architect of the Capitol), commands operations. Officers protect over 30,000 congressional staff, visitors numbering in the millions annually, and the 535 members of Congress.
The force’s jurisdiction extends beyond the Capitol building to encompass the entire Capitol Complex—office buildings, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and surrounding grounds totaling approximately 276 acres. Officers staff magnetometers at building entrances, patrol corridors and grounds, and provide protective details for congressional leadership. The Dignitary Protection Division provides security for members facing specific threats.
Specialized units address diverse security challenges. The Hazardous Incident Response Division handles chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. The Containment and Emergency Response Team serves as tactical response capability. K-9 units detect explosives. The Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division monitors threats against Congress and coordinates with other law enforcement agencies. These capabilities reflect the post-9/11 security environment.
Historical Significance
The Capitol Police have confronted threats reflecting American political violence across two centuries. The 1835 assassination attempt on President Jackson occurred on Capitol grounds. The 1954 House shooting wounded five representatives. In 1998, a gunman killed two Capitol Police officers, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, in an attack at a Capitol entrance. Each incident prompted security enhancements and expanded the force.
The September 11, 2001 attacks transformed Capitol security. The evacuation of Congress during the attacks, the anthrax letters sent to Senate offices, and the crash of Flight 93—possibly targeting the Capitol—demonstrated that Congress itself was a terrorist target. Subsequent security measures restricted public access, installed barriers around the complex, and dramatically increased the force’s size and capabilities.
January 6, 2021, presented the most severe challenge in Capitol Police history. As Congress met to certify the 2020 presidential election, thousands of rioters overwhelmed police lines and breached the Capitol. Officer Brian Sicknick died after engaging with rioters; four officers later died by suicide. Over 140 officers were injured. The attack prompted investigations, leadership changes, and ongoing debates about Capitol security and the police force’s size and capabilities.
Key Developments
- 1801: First watchman hired to guard the Capitol
- 1828: Congress formally establishes Capitol Police
- 1854: Puerto Rican nationalists shoot five representatives in House chamber
- 1971: Capitol Police force begins significant expansion
- 1981: Threat to President Reagan prompts security reviews
- 1983: Bomb explodes in Senate wing; no injuries
- 1998: Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson killed by gunman
- 2001: September 11 attacks and anthrax letters transform security
- 2004: Capitol Visitor Center authorized to enhance security
- 2008: Capitol Visitor Center opens, screening all visitors
- 2013: Capitol Police respond to Navy Yard shooting nearby
- 2016: Security enhancements after multiple shooting incidents nationally
- 2021: January 6 attack; Officer Brian Sicknick dies; 140+ officers injured
- 2022: Expansion of Capitol Police field offices across the country