Norton Asks For Review Of Recruits' Dismissal

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton called yesterday for a review of the U.S. Capitol Police decision to dismiss one-fourth of the department's most recent group of recruits, who were hired despite failing criminal background or other employment checks.

In a letter to Chief Phillip D. Morse, Norton (D-D.C.) noted that the 15 recruits quit other jobs and were halfway through their training in Georgia when they were recalled to Washington and told to resign this week or be fired.

The move "raises serious questions of basic fairness that require review," Norton wrote.

The hiring lapse has troubled lawmakers, and the Senate Rules Committee scheduled a hearing for July 9 on management of the Capitol Police. The police force's human resources director, Jennifer McCarthy, has been placed on administrative leave.

Capitol Police officials have declined to comment publicly. However, letters given to seven of the recruits and obtained by The Washington Post provided a range of reasons for the dismissals. The letters were signed by Deputy Chief Matthew R. Verderosa, interim replacement for McCarthy.

Two of the seven trainees had committed criminal misdemeanors, according to the letters. One of those trainees was also cited for using an inhalant "for the purpose of obtaining a 'high.' " The letters did not elaborate.

Two other recruits were told, without details, that they had failed the psychological evaluation. Three were informed that they were being recommended for termination because of "the provision of false or intentionally misleading information" during the selection process.

Several recruits have hired a lawyer to contest their dismissals.

In her letter, Norton wrote: "It is difficult to see how these recruits could have successfully passed written tests, and survived interviews, background investigations, physicals, and psychological evaluations, with final sign-off reviewed only by a human resources professional and without police or command involvement in the process."

Norton also said it was "hard to fathom" why police were spending money on hiring the 60 or so recruits when the force's radio system is in urgent need of replacement. The Post reported this month that Capitol Police radios often malfunction and cannot easily connect with D.C. police radios. The Capitol Police recently finished a plan for a new radio system, but the agency has not requested funding from Congress.

A Capitol Police spokeswoman, Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, declined to comment on Norton's letter.

Morse, the police chief, told a House subcommittee last month that there were 1,611 Capitol Police officers and that the force is authorized to have 1,702. Even more officers will be needed to staff the Capitol Visitors Center, scheduled to open in the fall, he said.