Capitol Police Investigations Expand With Dozens Of Riot Officers Under Suspicion

In the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, dozens of the officers on duty as Trump supporters breached the building are under investigation. Six have already been suspended, and authorities expect more investigations to open as footage from the incident is reviewed, CNN reports.

Among those suspended is an officer who donned a “Make America Great Again” cap before directing the rioters around the building, according to Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. Another took selfies with the crowd.

“Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not in keeping with the department's rules of conduct will face appropriate discipline," police spokesman John Stolnis told CNN.

With 29 officers now under investigation, the current total indicates a significant expansion of the investigation since the immediate aftermath of the riot. In January, only the two mentioned officers had been suspended, with ten under investigation.

“[The Capitol Police have] been actively reviewing video and other open-source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of department regulations and policies,” Pittman said at the time.

The riots have shaken the capitol police department to its core, prompting a vote of no confidence in the USCP’s leadership. In addition to Brian Sicknick, the officer who died after physically engaging the mob, two have killed themselves in the wake of the attack, The Washington Post reports.

The riots have had ripples outside of the Capitol Police Department as well. Seven officers across five departments are under investigation for participating.