Yogananda Pittman has just become the first woman and the first Black person to head the U.S. Capitol Police force.
What We Know:
- Following the siege on the U.S. Capitol, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated in a press conference on Thursday that acting police chief Steven Sund “hasn’t even called” since the incident. “There was a failure of leadership at the top of the Capitol Police,” Pelosi said. Just hours after the riots, U.S. Capitol Police chief, Steven Sund, resigned. Following the resignation, Pittman was appointed acting chief starting January 16th, 2021.
- According to the Capitol Police website, Yogananda Pittman joined the department in April of 2001 and previously served as an assistant chief. Throughout her years in the force, she has climbed through the ranks and has proven to provide ample protection to U.S. senators and visiting dignitaries.
- While working for the Capitol, Pittman has been tasked with a number of high profile events. As a commander, she supervised over 400 officers and civilians and led the efforts to provide the security planning for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.
- Before working for the Capitol, Pittman graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. She continued her education while working and earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 2019. Currently, Pittman is working toward her Ph.D. in Public Administration from West Chester University. She has also completed the FBI National Academy and graduated from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ CEO Mentoring Program in 2018.
Congratulations Yogananda Pittman!
