by Edward W. Hayob, esq.
Jefferson City was selected as the site for Missouri's Capitol in 1821. Construction on the first Missouri Capitol Building began in 1823. Since 1823, the responsibilities for the state of Missouri have grown and Missouri Capitol Police has met the challenge. It has progressively revised it's goals and operations to meet the ever changing needs of the people it serves.
In 1835, Missouri law made the warden of the Missouri Penitentiary in Jefferson City, the "Commissioner of the Seat of Government." This gave him the responsibility to "guard the public buildings, lots and out lots, land, and all public property at, or attached to the seat of government which are not in the lawful custody of some other officer." The law also said that, "he shall take all necessary measures to preserve the same from waste, trespass, and injury of every kind. He shall prosecute in the name of the state, for all trespasses and injuries of every kind done to buildings and other property, and to attend to the conducting of all suits relating to same." His duties were not just law enforcement, but also the general management of state property in Jefferson City. He was also required to provide the state legislature with fuel, candles and essential furniture, previous to their meeting," on the most advantageous terms that can be obtained and deposit the same in such manner as to render it safe."
In 1845, Missouri law changed to have the "Commissioner of the Seat of Government" elected by the legislature during each session; or if the office was vacated when the legislature was not in session, the commissioner would be appointed by the Governor. The commissioner was allowed to appoint "a watch for the Missouri Capitol, at a salary not exceeding twelve dollars a month, whose duty it shall be to see that no injury is done to it and to keep it in order." His duties also included the prevention of all persons from entering at unseasonable hours, and then to give that information to the commissioner of all offenses committed against this act. Responsibilities included "attending to all visitors at seasonable hours who may wish to go through and see the building, and do all other acts in relation thereto that may be required by the Commissioner."
Current law also made any "conservator of the peace for the county of Cole" and the "Circuit Court for said county" responsible for prosecuting any lawbreaker of that act, Cole County being the county where Jefferson City is located.
Between 1845 and 1919, Missouri law relating to the "Commissioner of the Seat of Government" remained the same with some minor changes. The power to appoint a watch for the Capitol was removed in 1856. In 1909, a "Board of the Permanent Seat of Government" was created. This board included the Governor and other state officers, and was given the power to appoint the commissioner.
February 5, 1911, brought tragedy to the state of Missouri, as the Missouri State Capitol caught fire and burned to the ground. The probable cause was a lightning strike to the dome. The new Capitol was built on the same site and dedicated on October 6, 1924, and still stands proudly today.
The "Board of the Permanent Seat of Government" was created in 1919, and was given the power to employ as many "Watchmen" as they deemed necessary. These "Watchmen" were granted the same power to "maintain order, preserve the peace and make arrests as is now held by constables, who, in addition, may arrest and expel from the public buildings and grounds persons violating any rules or regulations that may be prescribed by the board of the permanent seat of government or the commissioner of the permanent seat of government."
Nineteen forty-nine brought changes as the "Board of the Permanent Seat of Government" and its commissioner was replaced by a "Board of Public Buildings" and director. Responsibilities and powers of each remained the same, except that the "Board of Public Buildings" powers extended beyond Jefferson City. This included all state buildings and property within the state.
In 1955, the "Director of the Board of Public Buildings" was given the power to write parking rules for the area around the Capitol. He was required to hire enough "Capitol Guards" to patrol the Capitol and its grounds at all times. Guard duties also included the enforcement of parking regulations.
Division of Planning and Construction took over the duties of the "Director of Public Buildings" in 1965. The next update took place eight years later, when the Commissioner of Administration was given the responsibilities for the Missouri Capitol and the Capitol Guards.
Governors Mansion: 1978The need for additional security at the Governor's Mansion was met, when the Office of Administration created the Governor's Mansion executive protection detail in 1978. This detail provided 24-hour protection for the Mansion, its various employees and visitors. This detail complimented the Missouri State Highway Patrol's detail that has responsibility for the Governor and his family's safety, but that necessarily follows the Governor and his family whenever they left the Jefferson City area. The Governor's Mansion executive protection detail was staffed by experienced law enforcement personnel who apply modern law enforcement and security principles.
In 1980, new procedures were written and a progressive in-service training
program was started. New equipment was also obtained in this rapidly expanding
environment. Most importantly, a new attitude of professional responsibility and
conduct was imparted to and expected from personnel.
Nineteen eighty-three united the Governor's Mansion detail and Capitol Guards into "Capitol Complex Security" with responsibility for security and law enforcement in all state buildings around the Missouri State Capitol. Computers and modern security monitoring systems were acquired and installed. A vehicle patrol program was begun and parking regulations, which had over time fallen into disuse, were rewritten and actively enforced.
Capitol Complex Security had a unit name change in 1988 and was updated to the Missouri Capitol Police to fully represent its duties and responsibilities. By executive order in January 1994, Missouri Capitol Police was administratively transferred from the Office of Administration to the Department of Public Safety by Governor Carnahan. There it joined Missouri's other commissioned law enforcement agencies such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri State Water Patrol under one centralized management. The appointing authority of commissioned police officers was also changed through statute to the Director of Public Safety. Missouri Capitol Police was added to RSMo. 544.157, authorizing fresh pursuit of person or persons who have attempted, in an officer's presence, any criminal offense.
Missouri Capitol Police currently has the authority to provide law enforcement,
public safety and security services in the buildings and grounds of state-owned
property within the limits of the city of Jefferson, and County of Cole,
Missouri. Since 1983, Missouri Capitol Police has been the primary law
enforcement agency for the approximately 65 acre, state office building campus
known as the Capitol Complex. Within that area, are located the State Capitol
Building, Jefferson Building, Department of Transportation Buildings, Supreme
Court, James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center, Broadway Building, Harry S
Truman Building, Electronic Data Processing Building, State Health Laboratory,
Governor's Mansion, Jefferson Landing Historic Site, Missouri Boulevard State
Office Building, and associated parking facilities and grounds. Capitol Police
has developed into a full-service law enforcement agency with additional
expertise in and commitment to physical and executive security. Due to
limitations of funding, Capitol Police does not at this time, provide services
to all sites within it's jurisdiction.
All commissioned members of the Capitol Police are certified under the Department of Public Safety, Police Officers Standards and Training Program. All commissioned members are armed. In-service training is consistently provided to keep all members updated on changes in procedure and techniques involved in law enforcement.
Bike Patrol:In August 1994, the Missouri Capitol Police began the first bicycle patrol in Jefferson City. The duel purpose was to increase visibility and accessibility to state employees and visitors within our jurisdiction. Additional benefits have included improved police service to the Capitol Complex, due to mobility. The Bike Patrol has been a complete success and has since been adopted by other area local law enforcement agencies. The Bike Patrol was modeled after bicycle patrol units used in metropolitan areas such as New York and Seattle.
The Bike Patrol officers have proven to be an asset to Capitol Police not only in their law enforcement duties, but also the increase they have brought about in contacts between the officers and the citizens who work and visit the Capitol Police jurisdiction. Visitors to the Capitol are often pleasantly surprised to meet officers patrolling on bikes and use the opportunity to ask questions about the Capitol, Jefferson City and about their bicycles. The Bike Patrol has proven conclusively that not only has the program been accepted as an effective tool by the department and the officers who ride the bikes, but also by the people that they serve.
In January 1995, the Capitol Police saw a need for Community Services and currently provides several programs to meet the special needs of state government, employees, visitors and people conducting business with the state.
Violence in the workplace is a serious concern for all workers and supervisors. Presentations concerning this and other personal safety issues are provided upon request.
Capitol Police officers provide employee and state business escorts to or from any location on or near the Capitol Complex, any time of the day or night. Escorts can be provided by vehicle or on foot. When possible, advance arrangements should be made.
To improve the safety and security in and around state building sites, workplace surveys are conducted to identify correctable risks. From exterior lighting to locks and alarms, recommendations are made to address the specific needs of the facility.
A crime prevention and awareness program that encourages people working in and around state facilities to be alert to and report suspicious activities.
This program is available to permanently mark state and personal property, to make it more easily identifiable and more likely to be recovered, if stolen. Property marked for identification is also less likely to be stolen.
Upon request, Capitol Police will fly the American or Missouri State Flag at the Capitol and return them to the provider with a certificate of completion. Flags are provided by the individual or organization.
One hundred and seventy-five years ago the State of Missouri initiated it's first program to meet the security and law enforcement needs for the Capitol. Leadership has guided Missouri Capitol Police into a department that not only achieves the needs for today, but the demands of tomorrow. The training our officers have received exceeds state requirements. The diversity of services available, has evolved out of a sincere desire to serve by officers. Missouri Capitol Police is proud of it's accomplishments and looks forward to the future.