Exclusive: Capitol Police disciplinary reports show pattern of misconduct

The court filings describe department disciplinary records — including from its Office of Professional Responsibility — that show sexual misconduct, officers who left their guns unsecured and made derogatory statements about minorities, and incidents when information about active investigations were posted on Facebook.

“That’s a horrifying list and it indicates a real pattern. I can’t think of a big city police department, which is what I study, where there would be an equivalent list over several years,” said Samuel Walker, a criminal justice professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha, who is an expert on police accountability. “It’s just like it’s really out of control, and it says something about the top command of the agency. I mean, yes, they’re handing out these suspensions like they’re candy, but they continue.”

Walker said there should be a congressional hearing and more public disclosure to address these issues in the police force with approximately 2,000 sworn officers.

Sund stressed that misconduct is the exception and not the norm on his force, which he says shows integrity and professionalism.

“To disparage the reputation of the entire Department based on alleged misconduct in a few isolated incidents is unconscionable,” he said in his statement. “I have the utmost appreciation and respect for their dedication to protecting the Congress, their staffs, and the visiting public 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.”