Bill Text: VA HJR254 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Division of Capitol Police.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 53-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-02 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ254ER) [HJR254 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HJR254-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Division of Capitol Police demonstrated a high degree of vigilance, dedication to duty, and professionalism while responding to extraordinary crowds during a gun rights rally on January 20, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Capitol Police coordinated with other local, state, and federal agencies to monitor critical intelligence in weeks prior and implement additional security measures for the event; and
WHEREAS, in the lead-up to the event, members of the Division of Capitol Police devoted long hours and made personal sacrifices to ensure safety and security in and around Capitol Square; and
WHEREAS, the event had an estimated attendance of 22,000 people, including approximately 6,000 people inside Capitol Square, which had been designated as a gun-free area, and 16,000 people in the surrounding area, many of whom were armed; and
WHEREAS, in addition to manning security checkpoints for Capitol Square, the Division of Capitol Police and other agencies maintained effective crowd control through temporary fencing and road closures and increased the law-enforcement presence in and around state office buildings to minimize disruptions for state employees; and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Division of Capitol Police helped mitigate a potentially volatile situation through extensive planning and careful preparation; and
WHEREAS, the members of the General Assembly and the state agencies in and around Capitol Square sincerely appreciate the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the officers of the Division of Capitol Police as they maintain order, security, and overall smooth operations in the execution of their duties every day; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Division of Capitol Police for performance above and beyond the normal call of duty on January 20, 2020; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Anthony S. Pike, chief of the Division of Capitol Police, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the department's enduring commitment to keeping Virginians safe.
