Law enforcement officials announced they are hiring a third-party to conduct a review of the Minnesota State Capitol’s security protocols. The news comes just days after a naked man was found roaming the floor of the Minnesota Senate at midnight, and several weeks after two lawmakers were shot in their homes on June 14.
“We know that the tragic events of June 14 and the security breach over the weekend at the Capitol have caused fear and concern — and we take that seriously,” said Commissioner Bob Jacobson of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).
“We are committed to learning from recent events and putting better safeguards in place. Public safety is never static. It must evolve as threats evolve. Reviews and assessments can help us adapt, strengthen and prepare,” added Jacobson.
According to a DPS press release, the Minnesota State Patrol will select the firm that ultimately carries out the security review. The State Patrol is a subdivision of DPS and is responsible for security at the Minnesota State Capitol.
“The safety and well-being of everyone who serves, works or visits the Capitol is personal to us — not just professional,” said Col. Christina Bogojevic, the leader of the State Patrol. “We care deeply about creating a secure environment and are committed to learning from every incident to make sure people feel safe walking through those doors. Collaboration with our law enforcement partners is key.”
The State Patrol is currently investigating how Dominic Peace was able to access the State Capitol just before midnight on July 25. According to criminal charges filed in Ramsey County, Peace was found naked in the Minnesota Senate chamber claiming he was the governor and sitting in the Senate president’s chair.
Based on the 36-year-old’s behavior, security guards believed Peace was in “an altered state of mind.” Authorities allegedly found Peace’s clothes in a restroom and observed open desk drawers in the Senate chamber. Court documents say security footage showed Peace carrying a wedge at the Capitol earlier that day when the building was open to the public.
“It appears Peace used the wedge to prop open an exterior mechanical door that allowed him to gain entry to the Capitol after hours that evening,” says the criminal complaint.
Peace was eventually transported to the hospital and is currently in the Ramsey County Jail. The 36-year-old has been charged with second-degree burglary, a felony.
On Monday, Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, called for the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) to conduct an independent review of “Capitol security and rapid response protocols.”
Additionally, multiple law enforcement agencies are performing an after-action review of the response to the June 14 shootings which killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and severely injured Sen. John Hoffman.
Commissioner Jacobson said information gleaned from the various investigations and reviews could be used to improve security at the State Capitol. Ultimately, the state legislature is responsible for setting security standards at the Capitol.
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Author: Luke Sprinkel
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