The Wisconsin State Capitol Police is a police force maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, and is responsible for policing the Wisconsin State Capitol, state government facilities and the protection of the Governor of Wisconsin, Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.

History

The origins of the force date to 1881, when five police officers were employed at the Wisconsin State Capitol. In 1903, this was increased to eight police officers, supported by two night watchmen. In 1911, the eight police officers were under the supervision of the Superintendent of Public Property. In 1969, a Catholic prient, Father James Groppi, organized the "Welfare Mothers' March on Madison". 1000 welfare mothers occupied the chamber of the Wisconsin State Assembly, State Assembly for 11 hours, in protest against planned welfare cuts. In response, the State Legislature replaced the then Capitol Security force with the "State Protective Services", which saw the force grow to 66 police officers and 13 detectives, responsible for providing law enforcement services at the Capitol and other Department of Administration facilities in the state. In 2000, law enforcement responsibilities for the Wisconsin State Fair, State Fair Park in West Allis were transferred from the Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department to the Capitol Police and the two departments merged. In 2008, the two were again separated. In 2004, Governor Jim Doyle proposed merging the Capitol Police with the State Patrol. In 2010, the force had 48 full-time employees. The force was officially renamed "Wisconsin State Capitol Police" in 2013, and new black uniforms and redesigned patches were issued.

Structure

The Capitol Police have statewide jurisdiction to enforce criminal and civil laws. They are responsible for security at all state owned and leased facilities, and oversee events and demonstrations that take place on state property. They provide protection to the Governor, family, Lieutenant Governor, and other high ranking dignitaries. The headquarters of the Capitol Police are located in the Risser Justice Center in Madison, with substations in the State Capitol and the Milwaukee State Office Building.

Patrol Operations Section

Patrol Operations is the uniformed section of the force, with officers in Madison and Milwaukee. It is responsible for providing uniformed police officers who patrol Department of Administration managed properties on foot or in vehicles. The Section is responsible for crowd management during events and political demonstrations.

Support Services Section

The Capitol Police communications center operates 24 hours a day, relaying information to officers and monitoring alarms at state facilities.

Criminal Investigations Unit

The Criminal Investigations Unit conducts criminal investigations, prepares and executes search warrants and subpoenas, preserves and collects evidence, provides victim services, manages court services, and assists the patrol, dignitary, and security units as required. The Criminal Investigations Unit processes over a thousand court cases each year.

Dignitary Protection Unit

The Dignitary Protection Unit provides bodyguard, protective security to the Governor of Wisconsin, their family, the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, and other high ranking dignitaries who work for and visit the state.

K-9 Unit

The K-9 Unit consists of one handler and one police dog, trained in detecting explosives, trained in "vapor wake" detection.

Unmanned Aircraft Unit

The Capitol Police operates an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone), used for law enforcement purposes, as well as emergency management, crime scene investigation and missing person searches.

External links

References

{{Capitol police State law enforcement agencies of Wisconsin, Capitol Police Capitol police