Steven A. Sund is the new chief of the U.S. Capitol Police.

The Capitol Police Board, which oversees the force that provides law enforcement for the Capitol and members of Congress, made the announcement Friday, elevating Sund from his previous role as the department’s assistant chief.

He had been serving as acting police chief since May 31, when he took over from Matthew R. Verderosa, who retired after a 34-year career in law enforcement, the last three as Capitol Police chief.

The board in a news release expressed confidence in Sund’s “operational knowledge of the department and experience serving as Assistant Chief.” Current board members include House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul D. Irving, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael C. Stenger and acting Architect of the Capitol Christine A. Merdon.

Sund has been with the Capitol Police since January 2017. As chief of operations and assistant police chief, he offered operational support and managed several bureaus within the department.

“I am deeply humbled and honored by the confidence the Capitol Police Board has placed in me to lead our organization,” Sund said in a statement. “It is a privilege to serve the Congressional community and the Department. I look forward to our Department’s continued success in our mission to protect and serve the Congress, the U.S. Capitol, and the American people.”

Gus Papathanasiou, who heads the Capitol Police union, said he is eager to work with the new chief.

“I hope that together we can improve morale and lead the Department in a positive direction,” he said.

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Sund began his police career in 1990 as a patrol officer in D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department. He rose through the ranks to sergeant and lieutenant.

He planned major events in the MPD’s special operations division, including presidential inaugurations and state funerals. He was promoted again in 2011 to commander of the division.

He was the on-scene incident commander during the 2009 shooting at the National Holocaust Museum, the 2012 shooting at the Family Research Council, and the 2013 active shooter incident at the Washington Navy Yard.

After serving with the MPD for more than 25 years, Sund went on to become director of a nonprofit science, technology and strategy firm before he was hired by the Capitol Police. 

He has undergraduate and master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and a second master’s from the Naval Postgraduate School, where he specialized in homeland security. He has also served as an adjunct instructor at George Washington University. 

Niels Lesniewski and Chris Marquette contributed to this report

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