Mr. BENJAMIN. How much of that is for the House, that is, the House Chambers? Chief POWELL. It is the whole picture, actually, is what it amounts to. Some of it is, for instance, when the President comes to address a joint session of Congress. Mr. BENJAMIN. The same thing every year? Chief POWELL. Yes, sir, but still you can't plan to have that many people working regularly, so they have to work overtime. The Congress, in its wisdom, and I certainly didn't object to it, saw fit to pay the police officers for extra duty that they did work. This all started back in the riot days of 1968, Mr. Chairman, for the Capitol Police. We canceled all days off and worked 12 hours a day, sometimes longer, 7 days a week, and they had no additional money. It was all just from dedication. Many of the men at that time had side jobs and they were working in order to support their families. They had to give up their outside duties or jobs and they just had financial hardships. Mr. BENJAMIN. We understand that, Chief. Chief POWELL. As a result of that, we approved overtime and then we got into the situation where we are now. Mr. BENJAMIN. You are indicating to us that we are going to see a separate figure somewhere along the line of $1,650,000 plus $14,000 for food, which may be even greater by the time you pull your troops off, but you also asked for $1 million and you said you would break it down for us on how you projected it, and we would appreciate your doing that. Let me ask a couple of other questions and see if the committee has some more questions. POLICE PROMOTIONS In September of 1978, six Metropolitan policemen, three on the House side, and three on the Senate side, were given promotions. As you know this committee directed in its report last year that there be no further promotions from outside forces. Since we want new positions and vacancies to be filled by members of the Capitol Police, I hope you understand our directive and have adjusted your employment practices accordingly. However, that was just before October 1 and we understand that. However, I understand now that you are planning to make these promotions which were acting positions permanent. If so, do you need approval from the House Administration Committee to make these permanent? Chief POWELL. The three House and three Senate, Mr. Chairman, in the past this Capitol Police Board item had never been handled by the House Administration Committee or the Senate Rules Committee. It had always been processed through this committee. Mr. BENJAMIN. How do they get from acting to permanent rank? Chief POWELL. In the past under similar conditions any person serving in a capacity at the will and on the recommendation of the board and with the approval of this committee and the Congress were elevated to a rank and pay status equivalent to that acting capacity. Mr. BENJAMIN. Are you going to ask the committee to do anything in regard to these promotions, and if so, what action? Chief POWELL. Yes, I have written a letter to the chairman of the board regarding that and recommended based on the fact that these individuals have served in this capacity. I might add, by the way, Mr. Chairman, that these are not new additional people who have been brought on the scene. Mr. BENJAMIN. We understand that. [The information follows:] I am writing to request your assistance in adjusting certain disparities in the manner in which various members of the Metropolitan Police, detailed to the Capitol Police, are compensated for their responsibilities. On July 1, 1975, as a result of a necessary reorganization of the Investigations Division, the Commanding Officer of the Senate Plainclothes Section, Captain Eugene Brannon, was elevated to the rank of Inspector and was assigned as Director of that Division. At the same time, Detective Sergeant Timothy H. Malone, who was appointed to the Metropolitan Police on September 18, 1961 and who had been detailed to the Capitol Police since July 7, 1974, was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant and assumed the duties of Commanding Officer of the Senate Plainclothes Section, a position historically held by a Captain. Since that time, the strength and responsibilities of that section have increased substantially and on October 1, 1978, Lieutenant Malone was elevated to the rank of Acting Captain. Accordingly, I request that Acting Captain Malone, having fulfilled the responsibilities of a Captain for a period in excess of three years, be elevated to the rank of Captain, with pay, in order that he might be more adequately compensated for his responsibilities. Detective Sergeant Lester R. Bell, who was appointed to the Metropolitan Police on January 11, 1960 and who has been detailed to the Capitol Police since July 21, 1970, has served as Assistant Commanding Officer of the Senate Plainclothes Section for a period in excess of three years, and as Acting Lieutenant since October 1, 1978. I therefore request that Acting Lieutenant Bell be elevated to the rank of Lieutenant, with pay, in order that he might be more adequately compensated for his responsibilities. Detective Grade I Arthur J. White, who was appointed to the Metropolitan Police on May 20, 1957 and who has been detailed to the Capitol Police since March 31, 1975, has performed the duties of supervisor and Acting Sergeant with the Senate Plainclothes Section since October 1, 1978. It is requested that Acting Sergeant White be elevated to the rank of Detective Sergeant, with pay, in order that he might be more adequately compensated for his responsibilities. Similarly, on June 30, 1977, as a result of the retirement of Captain Claude L. Eilert, Commanding Officer of the House Plainclothes Section, Lieutenant Richard F. Xander, who was appointed to the Metropolitan Police on October 4, 1965 and who has been detailed to the Capitol Police since November 10, 1975, assumed the duties of Commanding Officer of that section, a position also historically held by a Captain. Since that time, the strength and responsibilities of this section have increased substantially and on October 1, 1978, Lieutenant Xander was elevated to the rank of Acting Captain. Accordingly, I request that Acting Captain Xander, having fulfilled the responsibilities of a Captain for a period in excess of eighteen months, be elevated to the rank of Captain, with pay, in order that he might be more adequately compensated for his responsibilities. Sergeant George C. Awkward, who was appointed to the Metropolitan Police on June 11, 1962 and who has been detailed to the Capitol Police since September 5, 1971, has served as Assistant Commanding Officer of the House Plainclothes Section for a period in excess of eighteen months, and as Acting Lieutenant since October 1, 1978. I therefore request that Acting Lieutenant Awkward be elevated to the rank of Lieutenant, with pay, in order that he might be more adequately compensated for his responsibilities. |