[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S6177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DANIEL NICHOLS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the extraordinary 
work of Daniel Nichols who served the U.S. Capitol Police with great 
distinction for 28 years.
  Chief Nichols entered duty with the U.S. Capitol Police in 1983. 
After training, his first duty assignment was providing security and 
law enforcement at the U.S. Capitol, and in 1984, he was transferred to 
street patrol duties within the Capitol Complex and the adjoining 
neighbourhoods.
  In 1986, Chief Nichols was appointed as the first dedicated public 
information officer for the department. As spokesperson, he managed all 
media interaction during events and incidents occurring within the 
Capitol Complex. Most notably, he represented the U.S. Capitol Police 
with great poise and unwavering calmness during key events that 
attracted intense, widespread media attention including the 1998 
shooting at the Capitol that claimed the lives of two police officers; 
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the 2001 anthrax 
attack against Congress.
  In 2002, after being promoted to lieutenant, Chief Nichols was given 
command of the canine section. His accomplishments include expanding 
the training program, increasing the number of explosive detection 
teams to 43, reintroducing the street police service dog program, and 
creating a K-9 search and rescue team to locate victims of building 
collapses. In addition, he overhauled the concept of operations for the 
Off-Site Delivery Center. He also created the department's first horse 
mounted unit.
  In August of 2004, he was promoted to captain and named chairman of 
the 2005 U.S. Capitol Police Inaugural Task Force. As such, then 
Captain Nichols managed the overall planning, coordination, logistics, 
and execution of the U.S. Capitol Police responsibility for the 2005 
swearing-in ceremony. This task was particularly challenging due to the 
fact that this was the first inauguration to take place in a post 9/11 
threat environment. He worked closely with the Joint Congressional 
Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the Capitol Police Board, and 
multiple law enforcement and public safety agencies to ensure the 
safety and security of the Nation's leaders and the public. While 
serving as chairman, Chief Nichols was promoted to the rank of 
inspector.
  In February 2005, Chief Nichols assumed command of the House division 
and led a team of over 400 police officers who provided law enforcement 
and security operations at the House office buildings, the Capitol 
Powerplant and the House Page Dorm. In 2006, he was transferred to the 
Capitol division where he managed over 450 police personnel who perform 
various security, law enforcement, and emergency response duties to 
protect the Capitol, the Capitol Visitors Center, and the House and 
Senate Chambers and leadership offices.
  In January 2007, Chief Nichols became the assistant chief of police 
and served as the chief of operations, providing great leadership to 
the department. Chief Nichols provided operational support to the 
department, responsible for the Uniformed, Operations, Protective, and 
Security Services Bureaus; overseeing the Office of Plans, Operations, 
and Homeland Security and serving as acting chief when the chief of 
police was unavailable.
  Chief Nichols is recognized as an accomplished leader who builds 
effective teams, has strong communication skills, and uses innovative 
approaches to improve the protection of the Capitol, the congressional 
community, and visitors. He also works to develop the skills and 
capabilities of the department's personnel and was a key proponent of 
sending managers and officers to the Police Executive Leadership 
Program. A native of Fort Washington, MD, Chief Nichols holds a 
bachelor's and master's degree in management from the Johns Hopkins 
University.
  Chief Nichols is a notable member of the law enforcement community 
and a fine citizen. On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I congratulate him on 
his retirement and salute his distinguished career.

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