District 4600

State Patrol-Capitol Security/Executive Protection

Capitol Security/Executive protection is a division of the Minnesota State Patrol.  Their primary function is to provide safety and security to Executive, Judicial and Legislative officials, State employees and members of the public on the Capitol Complex.  Capitol Security is the primary responder to all emergencies and events located on the Capitol Complex. The division is under the command of State Patrol Captain Cheri Frandrup.

 The Executive Protection Unit is comprised of 11 State Troopers who are responsible for protecting Lt. Governor Carol Molnau, Governor Tim Pawlenty and his family.  These troopers are also responsible for security at the Governor’s Mansion, located on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, and his primary residence located in Eagan.

 Capitol Security is made up of 36 non-sworn officers, 2 Sergeants and a Lieutenant.  These officers are responsible for security in 30 State Buildings and the safety of more than 8,500 State employees.  Capitol Security Officers also do parking enforcement & security in the 35 State parking facilities.  Besides responding on foot and in vehicles, Capitol Security has a bike patrol division who are trained to patrol and respond on mountain bikes.

 The officers training includes:  CPR, Automatic External Defibrillation, First Aid, Crime Prevention, MACE, Defensive Tactics, ASP Baton and Bomb Search & Recognition.  Several officers are also certified to instruct State Employees in: CPR,   First Aid, Crime Prevention, and AED use.

 The Capitol Security Operations Center is the central hub for the operation of the State buildings and all emergencies that occur within its jurisdiction.  Currently there are over 39,000 environmental and security points regulated by the Operations Center staff.   These include:

Security alarms
Panic Alarms
Fire Alarms
Hold-up Alarms
Environmental heating, air conditioning and ventilation controls
Lighting

Monitored in the Operations center are more than 200 cameras.  These cameras are located throughout the Capitol Complex in high-security & public areas.  The parking lots, tunnels, and building entrances are also equipped with intercoms.  These intercoms go directly to the Operations Center and can be used in an emergency or to request assistance from a security officer.  Currently there are over 250 intercoms located throughout the Capitol Complex.

Each year there are over 300 Events held on the Capitol Complex.  These events are scheduled via a permit, through the Department of Administration (651-296-6404).    Capitol Security is responsible for security and law enforcement at these events.  The size of the events may range from a single protestor to over 400,000 people at the “Taste of Minnesota”. 

For questions about Capitol Security e-mail Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mary Schrader at mary.schrader@state.mn.us

Other numbers:

Capitol Security Information 651-296-6741

Training (Sgt. Paul Myers)   651-296-0032

Operations Center Supervisor  Bob Metry  651-297-1202

Office Manager Jenny Sparks  651-296-9494