Lanier Says Continued High Alert a ‘No-Brainer'

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that FOP Chairman Kristopher Baumann's statements were taken out of context by another media outlet.  Had they not been, Chief Cathy Lanier's statement would not have been necessary.


D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier had a strong reply for those who have criticized the continuing heightened security in Washington D.C.

Lanier said the decision of whether to deploy an increased number of officers around the September 11 anniversary was a "no-brainer."

The head of Metropolitan police said in a statement:

"First and foremost, you can’t put a cost on securing the Nation’s Capital. I am going to do whatever is necessary to keep our community safe. I have been heavily involved in Homeland Security for more than 10 years and have rarely seen threat streams that are both specific to Washington DC AND credible. So questioning whether this is necessary is a no-brainer."

Media reports misquoted the chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police, Kristopher Baumann so that it appeared as if he was questioning the necessity of the continued stepped-up readiness of D.C. police, and Lanier also responded to those supposed claims. 

But Baumann later made sure his points were clarified.

"I never made those criticisms. My statements were pretty much the opposite of what was reported. Unfortunately, my statements as broadcast and reported were edited out of context and completely mischaracterized what I said," Baumann wrote in an e-mail.

Officers have been working on twelve-hour shifts since last week.

The chief said in her letter that federal funding would be available to offset any extra costs incurred by the longer shifts and larger deployment.

The 12-hour shifts will stay in place indefinitely, until Lanier deems the threat level has gone down.  The chief said in a separate directive that scheduled days-off for Tuesday and Wednesday would be canceled.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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