US Capitol Police union blasts department's pick for new chief: 'He fails to meet the standard'
Former USCP chief defends pick for replacement
The newly-retired chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Department is hitting back at the department’s police union, telling FOX 5 that the group has launched what he calls a "hatchet job" on the man who’s been selected to replace him on an interim basis.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - The newly-retired chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Department is hitting back at the department’s police union, telling FOX 5 that the group has launched what he calls a "hatchet job" on the man who’s been selected to replace him on an interim basis.
The USCP's union is the United States Capitol Police Labor Committee, and in a blistering statement, they said they were "astounded" by the department's selection for its new chief.
Now, they’re calling on the Capitol Police Board to immediately reverse its decision to name Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher as the interim chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Department.
What they're saying:
The union chairman said about Gallagher that he "fails to meet the standard of trust and integrity required" to run the department.
The union has pointed to the interim chief having previously been investigated for taking overtime pay he wasn’t entitled to, and they’ve questioned his leadership role during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
But former Chief Tom Manger, who retired just last week, says he’s disappointed at the union’s move and that Gallagher would be a good chief.
"I know that Sean has worked very closely with the Union over the past four years to try and make sure they’re heard and that we’re able to work together on issues, so this comes as a surprise to me because Sean certainly does not deserve this kind of treatment," Manger said.
What's next:
The final decision is up to the Capitol Police Board, made up of the Sergeant At Arms of the House and Senate and the Capitol Architect.
FOX 5 has reached out to both the United States Capitol Police and the Labor Committee for comment. We have not yet received a response.
New update:
U.S. Capitol Police sent out a press release Wednesday afternoon, stating that they have officially appointed Michael G. Sullivan to the position of chief.
According to the USCP Board, Sullivan has 30 years of law enforcement experience, first starting with the Louisville Division of Police in Kentucky in 1995. Following the department’s transition to the Louisville Metro Police Department in 2003, he rose to serve as Deputy Chief from 2016 to 2019 before being recruited to join the Baltimore Police Department. They say there, he served as Deputy Commissioner from 2019 to 2022. Sullivan next served as the Interim Chief of the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) from 2022 to 2025.
They say Sullivan will be sworn in on June 30.
"The Board appreciates the thoughtful input received from both sworn and civilian USCP staff which was utilized in the selection process for the new Chief. We are – as always – grateful for your service to the Congressional community," the release read.