Amanda Andrade-Rhoades
The revelation that the Capitol mob — covered in emblems of extremist groups — included off-duty law enforcement officers possibly assisted by working police is escalating pressure on sheriffs and police chiefs nationwide to root out staff with ties to white supremacist and far-right armed groups.
Law enforcement leaders have faced criticism in the past for failing to police their own officers’ involvement with extremist groups. However, the selfie photos that off-duty officers took inside the Capitol during the violent siege, which left one police officer dead and dozens of others injured, were a wake-up call for many who have long denied the extent of the problem within policing…
We saw the anti-government, anti-equality and racist comments coming out during the Obama administration. Shame on us for representing it as freedom of speech and for not recognizing it was chiseling away at our democracy,” [National Sheriffs’ Association President, David] Mahoney said in an interview. “As we move forward, we need to make sure we are teaching our current staff members that they must have the courage to speak out when they know about another deputy’s or officer’s involvement…
RTFA. Anyone from the Left confronting police attacks often point out which of the coppers were especially racist, violent, in their assault. Confront cops frequently over time, you get to know who you are as likely to see out-of-uniform in the ranks of fascist-minded thugs attacking protestors.
Note the bumper sticker “Hillary Clinton for Prison 2016” on the plastic riot shield of the second officer from the left in the front row (#4067 on helmet) – click image twice to fully enlarge
“A former U.S. Navy intelligence officer and FBI official from Virginia has emerged as a “key figure” in the federal investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, as U.S. prosecutors alleged Thursday that he organized a group of trained fighters and was in contact with self-styled militia groups including the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and Three Percenters.
In asking a federal judge to detain Thomas Edward Caldwell, 66, pending trial, prosecutors revealed some of the most explicit evidence to date of discussions allegedly indicating coordination and planning among groups under scrutiny for the assault on Congress that left one police officer and four others dead, delayed the confirmation of President Biden’s victory and led to charges against more than 200 people.” https://www.pehalnews.in/former-fbi-official-a-navy-veteran-is-key-figure-in-jan-6-riot-prosecutors-allege/540340/
“Oath Keepers planned backup staged with weapons outside D.C. during Capitol riot, DOJ says
The Justice Department says Oath Keeper Jessica Watkins helped coordinate with “law enforcement members of the Oath Keepers” to have weapons at the ready on Jan. 6.”
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/national/capitol-riots/jessica-watkins-oath-keepers-weapons-backup-quick-reaction-force-law-enforcement-capitol-riot/65-a135a308-3731-401b-8fd9-d046084aa6ee
‘A nightmare scenario’: Extremists in police ranks spark growing concern after Capitol riot : Racially biased policing was already a concern. Charges against police officers, public safety workers and military veterans in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol have reignited concerns among lawmakers and law enforcement officials about violent extremists infiltrating government agencies. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/elections/2021/03/21/police-charged-capitol-riot-reignite-concerns-racism-extremism/4738348001/
8AM MDT, tomorrow morning, 22nd
In secret Facebook groups that describe themselves as solely for current and former special operations forces members share racist jabs, lies about the 2020 election, even QAnon theories https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/secret-facebook-groups-america-s-best-warriors-share-racist-jabs-n1263985
Extremism in the military has been in the spotlight since more than two dozen current and former service members were linked to the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. But the private Facebook groups reveal an underbelly of a segment of the military that has long been revered as America’s front line of defense.
Efforts to Weed Out Extremists in Law Enforcement Meet Resistance https://news.yahoo.com/efforts-weed-extremists-law-enforcement-121559987.html
When communities try to hold police accountable, law enforcement fights back : Civilian oversight is undermined by politicians and police, who contend citizens are ill-equipped to judge officers https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2021/civilian-oversight-police-accountability/