§212a–3. Law enforcement authority of Capitol Police

(a) Scope

Subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by the Capitol Police Board and approved by the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, a member of the Capitol Police shall have authority to make arrests and otherwise enforce the laws of the United States, including the laws of the District of Columbia-

(1) within the District of Columbia, with respect to any crime of violence committed within the United States Capitol Grounds;

(2) within the District of Columbia, with respect to any crime of violence committed in the presence of the member, if the member is in the performance of official duties when the crime is committed;

(3) within the District of Columbia, to prevent imminent loss of life or injury to person or property, if the officer is in the performance of official duties when the authority is exercised; and

(4) within the area described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Area

The area referred to in subsection (a)(4) of this section is that area bounded by the north curb of H Street from 3rd Street, N.W. to 7th Street, N.E., the east curb of 7th Street from H Street, N.E., to M Street, S.E., the south curb of M Street from 7th Street, S.E. to 1st Street, S.E., the east curb of 1st Street from M Street, S.E. to Potomac Avenue S.E., the southeast curb of Potomac Avenue from 1st Street, S.E. to South Capitol Street, S.W., the west curb of South Capitol Street from Potomac Avenue, S.W. to P Street, S.W., the north curb of P Street from South Capitol Street, S.W. to 3rd Street, S.W., and the west curb of 3rd Street from P Street, S.W. to H Street, N.W.

(c) Authority of Metropolitan Police unaffected

This section does not affect the authority of the Metropolitan Police force of the District of Columbia with respect to the area described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) "Crime of violence" defined

As used in this section, the term "crime of violence" has the meaning given that term in section 16 of title 18.

(July 31, 1946, ch. 707, §9B, as added Pub. L. 102–397, title I, §101, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1949 ; amended Pub. L. 104–186, title II, §221(13), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1750 .)

Amendments

1996-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–186 substituted "House Oversight" for "House Administration".

Change of Name

Committee on House Oversight of House of Representatives changed to Committee on House Administration of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 136, 174b–1, 184a, 193h, 193i, 193l, 193m of this title.