National Police Association (NPA) is criticizing Congress over the ongoing investigation of the January 6 Capitol riot. The NPA is a non-profit organization supporting law enforcement agencies across the country. According to the Association, Congress has turned a blind eye over many other violent protests last year.
National Police Association spokesperson, Betsy Brantner Smith, speaking to the Washington Times on Tuesday, expressed her concerns about the ongoing investigations. According to Smith, there were at least 564 riots in 2020, yet Congress was only focusing on the events of January 6, 2021. National Police Association is also concerned that Congress chose to hear the testimony of just a few officers.
The spokesperson went further, relating the event to that of the death of a black man, George Floyd, in May last year. Floyd was killed in the custody of Minnesota police, and in her words, “policing was attacked from all sides.” She expressed her concerns that law enforcement agencies have to deal with violent riots “night after night. ”
The retired police Sergeant defended the agency on their attempts to contain violence that day. According to her, despite the circumstances, brave officers protected stores, apartment buildings, churches, hotels, Ronald McDonald House, several of their own precincts, and courthouses from looting, arson, and vandalism. She also stated that the police officer was paralyzed in the incident, with countless others suffering severe injuries in the hands of the protestors.
Four Police Officers Testify on the Capitol Riot in January
The statement by the spokesperson came hours after testimony by four police officers to the house select committee. The officers testified on the brutality they encountered when they were violently attacked by Trump supporters. These supporters, who stormed into the Capitol on January 6, were trying to stop the 2020 presidential elections results certification.
Investigating the Involvement of Trump Officials
The Senate and House judiciary committees are now investigating the events that led to the January 6 riots. Also, they seek to dig into claims that Trump officials pressured the Justice Department into challenging the 2020 presidential elections outcome.
66% of Voters Support these Investigations
Sgt. Brantner Smith also suggested that most voters feel that Congress should investigate all the violent protests last year. She based her claims on the July poll carried out by the Association and Rasmussen Reports, in which 66% were in support of the idea. Other incidents she wishes investigated are cases involving police assault, looting, and arson during these protests.
Suppose Congress does not investigate the 2020 protests. In that case, she says the nation will experience “unprecedented levels of gun violence,” which she reports is currently on the rise.
According to the sergeant, all members of Congress were politicizing one violent riot and ignoring hundreds of others. She also stated that failure to strongly denounce the ‘defund the police’ movement was encouraging violence by further emboldening violent offenders. Additionally, congrees should be addressing ‘criminal reform’ and ‘law and order’ instead of the ongoing debate ‘police reform.’
Reports Suggest that Incidents of Violence are on the Rise
A report recently released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association indicates that over the first three months of this year, incidents of homicide went up in at least 38 large cities compared to the same period last year. Additionally, more than 550 people were reportedly shot this month across the country.
In the words of the National Police Association spokesperson, “Criminals who have no reason to fear the police, the prosecutors or the justice system will continue their lawless behavior, and the poorest of Americans will be the ones who suffer the most.”
About National Police Association
The National Police Association (NPA) is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, EIN 82-0647764, founded to educate supporters of law enforcement in how to help police departments accomplish their goals. The National Police Association works to bring national and local attention to the anti-police efforts challenging effective law enforcement, building public support for needed actions through public service announcements, legal filings, articles authored for the NPA by law enforcement experts, and the NPA Report. For additional information, please visit www.nationalpolice.org.
