March
21, 2018
Governor
Justice thanks Capitol Police for keeping campus safe, incident-free amid
record crowds
CHARLESTON,
W.Va. – Governor Jim Justice is saluting the West Virginia Capitol
Police and its leadership after record crowds gathered safely during the recent
legislative session.
Governor Justice has issued Certificates
of Recognition to Capitol Police Director Kevin Foreman and Deputy Director
Jack Chambers. Chief of Staff Mike Hall presented the honors during a Wednesday
ceremony at the State Capitol.
The awards thank Foreman and Chambers “for
outstanding and dedicated commitment in keeping both state employees and the
public safe during the trying events that have taken place at the Capitol over
the past several months.”
During a portion of the 60-day regular
session of the Legislature, the Capitol saw daily crowds that routinely
exceeded 5,000 visitors. On one Friday, the visitors entering through the
building’s two Directed Public Access Points over the course of that day topped
7,000.
Crowds on another day during this period swelled
to nearly 6,700 people, and were concentrated in a way that prompted safety
concerns from both Capitol Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. As a
result, the Public Access Points were closed for two hours before resuming
operations.
Foreman recounted how Capitol Police
officers worked 12- to 15-hour shifts for six or more consecutive days during
the session gatherings.
“We had guys working six and seven hours
without breaks, on their feet, and I never heard the first complaint from any
of them,” Director Foreman said.
Throughout these massive daily gatherings,
Foreman and Chambers met and kept in touch with the organizers. As the leaders
of the Capitol Police, they have made it their practice to seek dialogue with
participants ahead of and during on-campus events. Their goal is to ensure a
safe and trouble-free environment as citizens assemble at the seat of their
state government.
Organizers and legislators alike applauded
Capitol Police for this approach and their service after the session crowds
resulted in no arrests, property damage, disturbances or other incidents.
“We very much appreciate Governor Justice
and the Chief of Staff recognizing the hard work of the men and women of this
organization,” Director Foreman said after Wednesday’s ceremony. “They’re the
ones who do it. We’ve just set them up, hopefully, to where they can be
successful.”
Capitol Police, also known as the Division
of Protective Services, is part of the Cabinet Department of Military Affairs
and Public Safety. It fields 30 fully certified law enforcement officers as
well as civilian support staff and other personnel. The Capitol Police oversee
the safety and security of the State Capitol and its campus as well as other
state government properties.
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