Summary

GAO discussed the possible consolidation of the Library of Congress Police Force with the Capitol Police Force and noted that there were four issues that needed to be addressed before consolidation took place, including the Library's authority to protect itself, union representation for Library police, compensation and benefits, and Library police training. GAO found that: (1) the Librarian of Congress was authorized to designate employees as police and to prescribe regulations for adequate protection of all persons and property within the Library; (2) neither Library police nor the Capitol Police had union representation; (3) Library police were paid less than Capitol Police of similar rank; (4) the Library Police Force payroll system was not clearly defined; (5) provisions were needed to allow Library police to transfer annual leave to the Capitol Police or receive a lump-sum payment for any annual leave accrued; (6) Library police would have to contribute 7.5 percent of their salaries to retirement to receive an increased annuity like Capitol Police officers; and (7) Library police would be assigned duties outside the Library until they received appropriate training. GAO concluded that the Library police needed to use: (1) civilian employees to perform some law enforcement duties; and (2) Capitol Police training courses, since the Library had no in-service training program for its police force.