U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), ranking member of the U.S. House Administration Committee, on Oct. 4 launched a whistleblower webpage for officers and security personnel charged with protecting the United States Capitol.
“This committee has a responsibility to the men and women who protect the Capitol to provide oversight of their leadership and part of this is hearing from officers and other personnel when issues arise,” Rep. Davis said. “I know not every rank and file officer or employee is comfortable with speaking out publicly about these issues, but it’s important we hear from them and this provides a confidential way for them to do that.”
Through the webform provided on the site, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and House Sergeant at Arms (HSAA) officers and security personnel may privately communicate with the committee about their concerns, according to information provided by the staff of Rep. Davis, who launched the page with the administrative support of the House Whistleblower’s Office as part of his ongoing efforts to make the USCP and HSAA more transparent and accountable.
“We’ve needed greater transparency and accountability within our security system for a long time and hopefully this will help,” said the congressman. “This committee needs to fulfill its oversight role, which has been lacking for far too long, and act to ensure accountability within security leadership.”
During the previous Congress, the House Administration Committee’s majority conducted only one oversight hearing with USCP, according to Rep. Davis’ office, and failed to act on the Capitol Police Advancement Act, H.R. 7513, which Rep. Davis introduced in July 2020 to establish reporting duties for the USCP toward improving transparency and accountability.