Capitol Police to open field offices in California and Florida to help investigate threats against lawmakers

The U.S. Capitol Police announced Tuesday that they planned to open regional field offices in California and Florida as part of an ongoing effort to better investigate threats to members of Congress.

Threats have surged in recent years against U.S. lawmakers, a group the Capitol Police are charged with protecting. The Capitol Police Inspector General has repeatedly recommended the agency transform its posture to be more proactive than a traditional police department, and instead operate more like a protective agency, such as the Secret Service.  Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman announced the plans to open regional offices on the six-month anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot, and touted other reforms department has made in the wake of the attack, including increased training, new equipment and trauma-informed counseling.