VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Members of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) Emergency Response Team (ERT) will augment the United States Capitol Police (USCP) forces on Monday, Jan. 6, as Congress takes on the task of certifying the results of the November 2024 Presidential Election.
The USCP requested assistance from the VBSO and other law enforcement agencies for the Jan. 6 certification and Jan. 20 Presidential Inauguration to ensure a peaceful certification of the votes and transition of power. The VBSO ERT traveled to Maryland in October to be trained by the USCP. The lead law enforcement agency for this National Special Security Event (NSSE) is the United Secret Service (USSS) for both days’ events.
“When the Capitol Police asked us to supplement its officers for these important national events, we jumped at the opportunity. Our Emergency Response Team is second to none, highly trained and highly vigilant,” said Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. “We are proud to support the peaceful transition of power and showcase on a national stage the VBSO’s finest as they work alongside local, state and federal partners to keep our country safe.”
The VBSO entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the USCP last year to provide “law enforcement services, equipment and resources.”
“The eyes of the world will be on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Elected officials across the country have faced a heightened threat environment in recent years, so we cannot take any chances when it comes to protecting the Members of Congress,” said USCP Chief J. Thomas Manger during a news conference Friday afternoon. “Today, our planning, our preparation, our intelligence, our training, our equipment are exactly where they need to be. This continues to be a team effort. Dozens of public safety agencies will be in Washington, D.C., over the next few days to help us keep our community and our government safe.”
During the news conference, the USSS emphasized the readiness of all law enforcement agencies involved in the upcoming NSSEs.
“The Secret Service will bring in agents and other specialists from field offices across the country to supplement our staffing,” said Special Agent In-Charge Matt McCool of the USSS Washington, D.C., Field Office. “A multitude of seen and unseen security measures will operate in tandem to ensure a comprehensive and seamless security plan comes to fruition.”
McCool said this is the first time the Congressional Election Certification has been categorized as a National Special Security Event since the U.S. Secret Service took over these events in 1998.
The VBSO ERT is an elite group of deputies who receive specialized training to respond to emergencies and high-risk situations, such as prisoner disturbances, inmate escapes, and barricade and hostage situations. They also assist with high-profile court cases, warrant sweeps, erroneous releases and prisoner transports. In addition, the team leads a Senior Safety Seminar for seniors age 55+ and teaches active shooter awareness and response in the community.
The USCP safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption and terrorism,” according to the USCP website. “We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.”
Media contact: Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti, tguagenti@vbso.net , 757-385-8446.