Capitol Police Ordered to Get More Training after Leaving Guns in Public Restrooms

Saturday, May 23, 2015
(AP photo)

U.S. Capitol Police are due for a toilet-training session.

 

Twice this year, officers charged with protecting the Capitol and members of Congress have left weapons in public restrooms. Another was found by the cleaning staff at Capitol Police headquarters. So now, officers will be required to take an online class in the proper protocol for handling weapons in situations such as when nature calls.

 

In March, a child found a gun belonging to a member of House Speaker John Boehner’s police detail in a bathroom at the Capitol. Another gun, this one belonging to a member of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s detail, was discovered by a worker in a bathroom at the Congressional Visitors’ Center.

 

“I would be remiss if I did not say that the officers involved in these recent weapons cases reported in the media in no way intended to leave their weapons unattended. But as noted, this is not acceptable and they will be held accountable,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine told the House Administration Committee.

 

Dine said he may increase the punishment for mishandling service weapons, which currently is a minimum five-day suspension without pay for the first offense. That penalty may get bumped up to 30 days and possibly even termination.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, Steve Straehley

 

To Learn More:

Capitol Police Get More Training After Leaving Guns in Bathroom Stalls (by Holly Yan, Deirdre Walsh and Ted Barrett, CNN)

Capitol Cops Get Bathroom Training After Guns Left in Toilet (by Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press)

Comments

john 8 years ago
Not a big deal. The people who would have found the gun (or their parents) likely had a legal right to possess one anyways.

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