Minnesota law enforcement agencies helping at RNC 2024

Increased RNC security measures underway

Both Minnesota law enforcement and National Guard members are offering their support in providing extra security for the Republican National Convention (RNC) being held in Milwaukee this week.

MILWAUKEE (FOX 9) - After the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump this weekend, security is top of mind at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

About 4,000 officers from two dozen states are helping Milwaukee police with the RNC, including from several law enforcement agencies here in Minnesota.

"The fact that we're currently not only fully staffed, but we have the luxury and the blessing really to be actually a little bit overstaffed, we felt when people ask for help, we have the availability to do it," said Bloomington Police Dept Deputy Chief Damon Bitney.

The Bloomington Police Department says it sent nine officers to Milwaukee on Friday to help with security at one of the convention venues.

The department says the officers are trained in dealing with large crowds and events, but so far the Bloomington contingent has not been assigned other duties because of what happened in Pennsylvania.

"As of now, there's no big changes to what our personnel have been asked to do. But we're constantly monitoring that just in case they do need additional resources and we can make an evaluation at that time," said Bitney.

In addition to Bloomington, Rochester PD sent a dozen officers and the Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriff's offices are also well represented in Milwaukee.

"We received the request early last year and we knew that we could commit approximately 12 officers without any effects to our staffing levels here," said Rochester Police Dept Capt Aaron Penning.

Rochester police say their officers are helping with traffic control outside the RNC perimeter, but everyone is on high alert to prevent any further political violence.

"I do imagine everyone, in light of what occurred this weekend, has security on their mind and making sure that everything's in place to have a safe event there," said Penning.