In part 1 of this gripping series of Heroes Behind the Badge, former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund shares his firsthand account of the January 6th Capitol riot and the intelligence failures that preceded it. Chief Sund, author of "Courage Under Fire," provides an unprecedented look into the political pressures, institutional barriers, and operational challenges that shaped one of the most significant security events in American history.
Key Takeaways:
- The Capitol Police Board's political oversight significantly hampered security preparations, including denying National Guard support requests
- Intelligence failures within the U.S. Capitol Police led to inadequate preparation for January 6th despite available warning signs
- Budget constraints and the "defund the police" movement impacted essential equipment and training resources for Capitol Police officers
- Recent changes to federal law have modified how the Capitol Police Chief can request emergency assistance
Timestamps:
00:03:51 - Craig Floyd discusses officer fatalities
00:14:41 - Steven Sund interview begins
00:30:05 - Intelligence failures revealed
00:42:00 - Budget and resource challenges
Resources:
- Courage Under Fire" by Steven Sund: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Under-Fire-Definitive-Account/dp/B0D9Z2FV3T
- Citizens Behind the Badge website: www.citizensbehindthebadge.org
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: www.nleomf.org
Guest Bio:
Steven Sund served as Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police from 2019-2021, following a 25-year career with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC. His expertise in critical incident management and special events security led him to coordinate security for numerous presidential inaugurations and high-profile events. Sund holds master's degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and Johns Hopkins University.
Connect with Our Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-a-sund-6271b5212
X: https://x.com/ChiefSund
