93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Do you remember the days when Missouri Capitol Police did not even carry guns?
Jefferson City Republican state Rep. Dave Griffith says the current force does not have the numbers it needs.
“We need to have them patrolling those hallways and protecting not only just the legislature…but protecting the visitors that are there as well.”
A private firm was hired to provide entrance security at the Capitol building in Jefferson City after the 9/11 attacks, but its contract was not renewed in 2003. Metal detectors and tightly controlled checkpoints came back in 2017 when Gov. Eric Grietens took office.
Now the Missouri House is looking at a bill to boost security. HB 784 proposes having House and Senate leadership appoint marshals with law enforcement experience.
