Frequently
Asked Questions
The Congressional detractors of the U.S. Capitol Police mounted unit put forth
misleading information as part of their rationale to disband the mounted unit.
The following are some of the misconceptions put forth and responses:
Claim:
The unit is not needed on Capitol Hill. The U.S. Park Police can provide mounted
officers in the event that mounted officers are needed.
Fact:
The mission of the USCP is to protect members of Congress and secure government
property on Capitol Hill. They are the only police unit dedicated solely to
Capitol Hill and Congress. The USCP mounted police presence at Capitol Hill
provides additional security and visibility on a daily basis, as well as the
unique capabilities of a mounted patrol.
The USCP's responsibilities do not overlap with or conflict with those of the U.S. Park Police, which patrols National Park Service facilities and other portions of Washington, D.C. In the event of an emergency, the U.S. Park Police mounted officers have other priorities, such as security of the White House. In an immediate emergency, there may not be time or capability to quickly move mounted U.S. Park Police officers and horses to Capitol Hill.
Claim:
The cost of maintaining the USCP mounted unit is cost prohibitive.
Fact:
The most significant expense came when the USCP mounted unit was established.
The initial expense included the cost of training the officers and horses,
as well as the cost to purchase the horses and equipment. The startup costs
for equipment and horses will be wasted if the unit is disbanded.
The current costs
to continue the unit are primarily for daily care, feed and repair or replacement
of the horses and equipment, which is estimated at under $50,000 per year.
The 2006 funding which was requested for the unit, $145,000, is miniscule
when compared with:
1. The USCP budget of $249.5 million for fiscal year 2006, which includes
an extra $8 million from the previous year. The funding requested for the
Mounted Unit for next year is much less than 1 percent of the total budget.
2. $42 million to complete a Capitol Visitor Center.
3. $4 billion for Congress and related agencies.
Claim:
The 6-horse unit could require a facility which would cost in excess of $1
million. (One Congressman inferred that since the USCP canine training
facility cost $1 million, the horse mounted unit stable would cost well over
that).
Fact:
False. The USCP horses are currently stabled at a Federal facility. There
is no charge for use of the stables. Expenses include normal feed costs (estimated
at $3.50 per day), as well as veterinary and farrier costs. Alternatively,
space could be provided for the horses in one of the U.S. Park Police stables
in Washington, D.C. at minimal cost. In the event that a separate facility
is required, a stable for six horses could be built for under $50,000.
Claim:
A General Accounting Office report found that the USCP Strategic Plan does
not include or address the mounted unit.
Fact:
The DRAFT USCP Strategic Plan was written before the unit was established.
The mounted unit's unique capabilities support the DRAFT Strategic Plan and
USCP mission. For example, a mounted USCP officer can use the horse to respond
immediately in times of emergencies and move people away from dangerous situations.
Most important, the GAO report, which covered the entire USCP, did NOT recommend
that the mounted unit be decomissioned!
Claim:
A contract to pick up manure on Capitol Hill is too expensive (estimated $40-50,000
per year).
Fact:
The USCP officers handled the manure issue until Congress mandated that they
have a service to clean it up. The manure cleanup provided jobs for two homeless
men. As an alternative, the officers would be willing to resume cleanup The
most logical alternative is for the Capitol Architect grounds crew to include
it in routine, daily Capitol grounds cleaning and maintenance. (Note: the
amount of manure produced s estimated at only 6 piles per day).
(The U.S. Park Police do not
nor have they been required to have the manure from their horses cleaned up
when patrolling Washington D.C. or when they are on Capitol Hill. Only the
USCP mounted unit has been required to do so by Congress!)
