That is what I am referring to when I refer to an utter command and control failure. As far as the units that I saw defending the Capitol, I think they did an excellent job with what they had. There may have been a handful of “sympathizers” (I recall one uniformed cop moving a portable barricade) but when the stuff hit the fan, I didn’t see anyone engaging in less that total commitment.
I remain to this day impressed with the bike cops from the Park Police who held the line (bike cops have substantially less protective gear than regular uniformed police) and Eugene Goodman, who by himself kept a group of rioters from achieving the upper offices where (I think it was Pence) were just a door away.
I had the opportunity to consider where my opinions/beliefs and duty stood several times during my career (policing the Occupy Movement, Planned Parenthood protesters, and taking reports from rabidly anti-gay people). Duty always won.
Basically I agree, but I think there were insider insurrectionists in the police force that caused the delay.
That is what I am referring to when I refer to an utter command and control failure. As far as the units that I saw defending the Capitol, I think they did an excellent job with what they had. There may have been a handful of “sympathizers” (I recall one uniformed cop moving a portable barricade) but when the stuff hit the fan, I didn’t see anyone engaging in less that total commitment.
I remain to this day impressed with the bike cops from the Park Police who held the line (bike cops have substantially less protective gear than regular uniformed police) and Eugene Goodman, who by himself kept a group of rioters from achieving the upper offices where (I think it was Pence) were just a door away.
I had the opportunity to consider where my opinions/beliefs and duty stood several times during my career (policing the Occupy Movement, Planned Parenthood protesters, and taking reports from rabidly anti-gay people). Duty always won.
I watched all this on my phone that day, could not take my eyes off it, and felt such deep dismay.