US Capitol Police Union's House Division passes vote of 'no confidence' in two leaders

The United States Capitol Police Union's House Division delivered an overwhelming vote Friday of "no confidence" in two of its leaders, showcasing strong opposition to the way the officers have been treated recently.

The "no confidence" vote targeted House Division Inspector Brian Verderese and the division's Captain Aaron Robinson, who the union claimed have failed to adequately address job conditions that have left officers exhausted.

Verderese had 98.14% and Robinson had 98.74% of the officers vote against them, according to a union news release that was shared with Just The News.

''The House Division is the single largest division within the U.S. Capitol Police," Executive Board Chairman Gus Papathanasiou said in a statement. "We've tried repeatedly to work constructively with both Verderese and Robinson. 

"The overwhelming vote of no confidence in both these individuals I hope will serve as a wake-up call to Chief [Michael] Sullivan," he added.

The union said USCP has failed to recruit enough officers to help protect the House side of the Capitol, which has forced current officers to work long hours without adequate vacation time. 

Papathanasiou said USCP has moved Verderese from the House Division to the Office of Professional Responsibility, but that it was not enough because "leaving his policies in place changes nothing for front-line officers.”

The union also noted that Capitol Police officers have left the department in recent years because of a lack of a work-life balance and a retirement system that does not measure up to local or federal law enforcement agencies.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.