FY 2001 Budget

December 15.1:909 Funding for inter-agency agreements include training facility costs at the Anacostia Naval Air Station. Increases in National Finance Center expenses and reimbursements to the General Accounting Office and the Senate Sergeant at Arms Operations Center. The majority of this increase is attributable to costs formally incurred by the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms on behalf of the Capitol Police. The budget of the Senate Sergeant at Arms will be reduced by a comparable amount.

The United States Capitol Police Board believes that the requested funds are absolutery necessary for the Department to sustain its progress in implementing security enhancements and to implement the administrative and operational improvements outlined in the Strategic Plan. Also, we would like to point out that the Office of the Architect of the Capitol has included the necessary funding ($7.450.000) in its fiscal year 2001 capital budget request for required facilities identified in the United States Capitol Police Master Plan. I urge the Committee s favorable consideration of these requests.

The United States Capitol Police Board hereby transmits its budget estimate of $110,857,131 for fiscal year 2001 Salaries and General Expenses. This budget represents an increase of $26,106,000 or 31% over FY 2000. This increase can be attributed to the following three major areas:

Salary estimates reflect mandatory increases related to salaries and benefits; the annualized salaries and benefits of 260 personnel hired during fiscal years 1999 and 2000 pursuant to Public Law 105-277 and the Security Enhancement Plan (SEP); and salaries and benefits associated with funding 100 new police officer positions - an incremental staffing level increase recommended in two task force reports, the United States Capitol Security Review of October 1998 and the 1998 Personnel Audit of Security Operations of the United States Capitol Police Force.

Estimates for program operations and initiatives provide funds for the continued implementation of the United States Capitol Police Strategic Plan. Consistent with the administrative and operational program initiatives contained in the strategic plan, our estimates include: new alarm systems; electronic and technical specialty equipment; uniforms, equipment and accessories for new personnel; modernization of computer systems and telecommunications infrastructure; professional services for increased recruit psychological testing and for labor management consulting; tuition and registration fees for operational and administrative personnel; expenditures for intelligence systems networking and connectivity; and life cycle replacement costs for computer and electronic technologies.

FY 2001 Budget

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December 15, 1999

Funding for inter-agency agreements include training facility costs at the Anacostia Naval Air Station, increases in National Finance Center expenses and reimbursements to the General Accounting Office and the Senate Sergeant at Arms Operations Center. The majority of this increase is attributable to costs formally incurred by the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms on behalf of the Capitol Police. The budget of the Senate Sergeant at Arms will be reduced by a comparable amount.

The United States Capitol Police Board believes that the requested funds are absolutely necessary for the Department to sustain its progress in implementing security enhancements and to implement the administrative and operational improvements outlined in the Strategic Plan. Also, we would like to point out that the Office of the Architect of the Capitol has included the necessary funding ($7,450,000) in its fiscal year 2001 capital budget request for required facilities identified in the United States Capitol Police Master Plan. I urge the Committee's favorable consideration of these requests.

The annual budget for the United States Capitol Police is comprised of funding for the salaries of officers, members and employees, and a general expenses account for administrative and capital asset requirements. The total estimate for fiscal year 2001 is $110,858,000. This is an increase of $25,951,000 over amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000. In addition, the Capitol Police are responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of security systems for the Capitol grounds and buildings. This responsibility has recently been expanded to include the Library of Congress. This responsibility is carried out under the direction of the House Committee on Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration as well as the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. In addition to annual funds, the Capitol Police administer a Security Enhancements fund and a Physical Security fund in which amounts are designated for specific initiatives in accordance with the above approval process. Funds in these accounts remain available until expended, and coordination of initiatives is accomplished through a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Capitol Police, the Architect of the Capitol and the Library of Congress.

The tragic shootings of July 24, 1998 shocked and saddened the Congressional community and the nation. In response, the Capitol Police Board commissioned several internal and external studies to identify weaknesses and propose improvements for the protection of members, buildings and grounds, and the public. Upon review of the findings, the Congress appropriated $106 million to address the security concerns of the Capitol buildings and grounds. The Capitol Police Board is currently implementing a plan approved by the authorizing and appropriations committees. Additionally, Phase III of the three-phase implementation of physical security systems upgrades and replacements is progressing on schedule.

Salaries

The fiscal year 2001 budget request for Salaries is $100,898,000, an increase over fiscal year 2000 of $22,540,000. This amount is requested to continue funding for the base of 1,251 FTE, the annualization of the 260 FTE previously funded through the Security Enhancement Fund, and 100 FTE for new officers. This amount will also sustain the revised longevity rates, and the differentials for Sunday, holiday and evening shifts that were approved by the authorizing and appropriations committees in FY 99.

The funding request for Salaries will also cover the cost of the anticipated CY 2001 COLA and comparability pay increases, annualization of the CY 2000 COLA and comparability pay increases, and the associated costs of personnel benefits.

'Authorized personnel levels reflected in FY 00 include 260 FTE requiring the transfer of $16,460,000 from the