WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police have faced tough challenges over the years. Today,  the department swore in a new chief, who played an important role in the Capitol’s response to the 2001 local anthrax attacks.

Matthew Verderosa is the new chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, succeeding Chief Kim Dine, who has retired.

Officers who patrol the grounds or check IDs at building entrances have a chief who has walked the walk. Verderosa began his career with the Capitol Police, providing uniformed patrol duties in 1986.

Rising up the ranks, he served as incident commander in 2001 after anthrax was put in the mail, killing five people.

Two U.S. senators were among those to whom anthrax-laced letters were mailed.

Verderosa has been promoted from the rank of assistant police chief, which he’s held since May 2015.