ST. PAUL — The Minnesota State Patrol — a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) — is hiring a third-party expert to conduct a security assessment at the Minnesota State Capitol complex.

The State Patrol began discussing the importance of an independent assessment following the June 14 murders of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the shootings of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

In addition to the third-party security assessment, the State Patrol is conducting an internal review of the circumstances that allowed Dominic Terrell Peace to gain access to the Senate chambers after hours on July 25.

Peace, who was non-violent, was transported twice to Regions Hospital for a mental health evaluation, but troopers arrested him outside the Capitol when he returned to the area a third time Saturday evening. Troopers worked throughout the day Saturday with Wisconsin authorities so Peace could be extradited for an arrest warrant. The 36-year-old is currently in the Ramsey County jail.

The State Patrol also conducted a criminal investigation related to the incident and forwarded its findings to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, which filed a criminal complain on Tuesday.

“We know that the tragic events of June 14 and the security breach over the weekend at the Capitol have caused fear and concern — and we take that seriously,” said DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson. “We are committed to learning from recent events and putting better safeguards in place. Public safety is never static. It must evolve as threats evolve. Reviews and assessments can help us adapt, strengthen and prepare.”

The Minnesota State Patrol is responsible for 24/7 on-site security at the Capitol, which includes monitoring nearly 1,000 security cameras across the 20 buildings, 24 parking facilities, parks and open spaces that make up the Capitol complex.

Since June 14, the State Patrol has added security personnel at the Capitol, expanded the communications center by adding staff and is reviewing improved technology that could be used on the Capitol grounds.

“We take all breaches, threats and concerning behavior seriously,” said Col. Christina Bogojevic, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. Bogojevic added that security measures are continually reviewed and updated to reflect emerging threats, recent incidents and national best practices in capitol area security and public safety.

The State Patrol continues to work with partners — including the St. Paul Police Department, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), Metro Transit Police Department and the House and Senate sergeants at arms — on keeping the Capitol complex and the neighborhoods around it safe. This includes a public safety and livability plan funded by a $3 million legislative grant and largely led by the RCSO. The Metro Transit Police Department earlier this summer also launched the Safe and Strong University Avenue initiative to focus efforts on the Green Line corridor and uses a multi-layered public safety approach that combines police officers, community service officers, security officers, Transit Rider Investment Program Agents and outreach workers.

“The safety and well-being of everyone who serves, works or visits the Capitol is personal to us — not just professional,” Bogojevic said. “We care deeply about creating a secure environment and are committed to learning from every incident to make sure people feel safe walking through those doors. Collaboration with our law enforcement partners is key.”

“We understand the importance of accountability when it comes to public safety at the Capitol," Jacobson said. "It should be about building a stronger, safer and more resilient Capitol environment for everyone.”

DPS is also working with law enforcement partners to review the response to the June 14 shootings that killed the Hortmans and injured the Hoffmans.  

Jacobson said any lessons learned from that after-action review, the State Patrol’s independent Capitol complex security assessment, the State Patrol’s internal review of the incident with Dominic Peace or any reviews by the Office of the Legislative Auditor could be used to enhance security and improve communication systems, response protocols and collaboration.