The U.S. Capitol Police: Brief Background

"U.S. Capitol Police (USCP)

The U.S. Capitol Police is a department within the legislative branch with security, protection, and administrative responsibilities. The USCP is responsible for law enforcement and security within the Capitol Complex, including the U.S. Capitol building, the Capitol Visitor Center, Capitol grounds, the House and Senate office buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, Capitol Police buildings, Library of Congress buildings, and adjacent grounds.

The USCP performs these roles in coordination with the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms. The House and Senate Sergeants at Arms are charged with maintaining order in their chambers, and they each perform a number of law enforcement, security-related, decorum, and protocol duties. The House and Senate have each had an elected Sergeant at Arms since 1789.
 

Capitol Police Board

The Capitol Police Board is comprised of the Senate and House Sergeants at Arms, the Architect of the Capitol, and the chief of the Capitol Police, who serves as an ex-officio member.

Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. §1901, “the purpose of the Capitol Police Board is to oversee and support the Capitol Police in its mission and to advance coordination between the Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives and the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, in their law enforcement capacities, and the Congress.” The Board is responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of security systems for the Capitol buildings and grounds, under the direction of the Committee on House Administration and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (2 U.S.C. §§1964-1965)..."
U.S. Capitol Police