USCP Brings on Consultants to Assist with Ongoing Improvements

The United States Capitol Police is bringing back two Department veterans as consultants to assist the Department continue on its current path to evolve post January 6.

Dan Nichols and Phil Morse have a combined 55 years of experience with the Department, successfully leading it through enhancements and expansions, including those required after the 1998 shooting, 9/11 and the 2001 anthrax attack. They oversaw the successful merger of the Library of Congress Police into the USCP and addressed recommendations presented by the Government Accountability Office, the USCP Office of Inspector General and various oversight committees to enhance the Department's internal controls and established processes.

"We believe this team's institutional knowledge will build upon our current plan to improve our Department operations," said USCP Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman. "At the same time, we will continue to move forward along our new path towards an intelligence based protective agency."

In 2007, Dan Nichols was appointed the Assistant Chief of Police, Chief of Operations and was responsible for security, investigations, and protective services. He served in this leadership role until his retirement in 2011. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Nichols served with the Capitol Division, patrol, and the Public Information Office. His other command assignments included the K-9 Unit, the Mounted Unit, and the House Division. In 2005, Mr. Nichols served as Chairman of the Inaugural Task Force to lead the planning and execution of the first post-9/11 Presidential Inauguration. Throughout his tenure as Chief of Operations, Mr. Nichols provided operational leadership, including managing sworn staffing and partnering in overall fiscal management of the Department, to include overtime utilization.

Phil Morse was appointed Chief of Police in 2006 and assumed overall command of the Department until his retirement in 2012. Mr. Morse was responsible for the overall strategic and executive management of the Department, which enabled the agency to meet its operational mission of providing comprehensive law enforcement, security, protective and investigative services, as well as the full scope of administrative functions to manage the Department. Before becoming Chief, he served with the Senate Division, the Patrol Division and the Containment and Emergency Response Team (CERT). Mr. Morse's command assignments included the Office of Professional Standards and Compliance, the Capitol Division, and the Dignitary Protection Division. He was appointed Deputy Chief in 2005 and assumed command of the Uniformed Services Bureau.