His entry into the race follows his searing recollections about responding to the Capitol assault, delivered to the Jan. 6 choose committee at its first listening to in July, Dunn, who’s Black, spoke in regards to the racism and trauma he confronted that day as racial slurs have been hurled at him and he confronted the onslaught of pro-Trump rioters on the Capitol.
“No one had ever, ever called me a n—– while wearing the uniform of a Capitol Police officer,” Dunn informed lawmakers.
Dunn shouldn’t be at present a member of the Capitol Police’s union’s government committee, however mentioned in his candidate assertion that he was would depend on different members of the division and the remainder of the union’s management if he have been elected. His candidacy was first reported by Roll Call.
The contested union race comes because the Capitol Police and its officers try to chart a brand new path ahead after the Jan. 6 assault, which injured scores of officers and left two useless within the days that adopted. Another officer died in a separate automotive assault on the Hill in April, deepening the injury to the pressure’s bodily and psychological well being.
The division has struggled to retain officers since then, although the division has pledged reform below the management of its new chief, Thomas Manger.
Papathanasiou’s pitch to union members contains his report of monetary stewardship of the union, authorized victories and his management after the Jan. 6 assault.
“We lost two good friends and colleagues in the line of duty and another to suicide in the past year. In response, the union under my leadership went into overdrive,” Papathanasiou mentioned in his candidate assertion.
The incumbent touted the thousands and thousands of {dollars} in hazard pay, retention bonuses, psychological well being assist and bodily safety upgrades that the division has acquired within the aftermath of the assault, partially due to a barrage of advocacy by officers’ union.
Papathanasiou additionally took the lead in organizing a February no-confidence vote in Capitol Police leaders, airing the union membership’s lack of belief following high division officers’ actions main up to and on Jan. 6.
“As you know, one of the promises that I made was that we would not raise the biweekly dues of $20. I have kept this commitment and if I am reelected I promise to keep the current dues structure,” Papathanasiou pledged.
“I believe my expertise, report, and combating for the Officers speaks volumes,” Papathanasiou informed POLITICO.
Papathanasiou first joined the chief board of the Capitol Police union in 2009. He served as a store steward and first vice chairman earlier than changing into union chair.
Dunn and D.C. police officer Mike Fanone, who additionally testified to the choose panel about responding to the violence on Jan. 6, have additionally criticized the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police union — in addition to its nationwide chapter — for what they noticed as inadequate assist for officers as some Republican members of Congress tried to whitewash the Capitol assault.
