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Local lawmen to cut back shifts at Capitol

JANESVILLE — Local law enforcement agencies decided Monday they would no longer send officers to the Capitol on weekdays because of cooperative and diminishing crowds.

The Rock County Sheriff's Office, Janesville Police Department and Beloit Police Department would combine to send 15 officers on weekends if they're needed, law enforcement officials said.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office has asked the state Department of Administration for about $91,462 as reimbursement for sending deputies from Thursday, Feb. 17, to Tuesday, March 1, Sheriff Bob Spoden said.

The amount includes wages, parking, travel and meals, Spoden said. A second reimbursement request for helping last week will be sent when payroll is done.

Janesville police have asked for $51,864 as reimbursement, Chief Dave Moore said.

The agencies decided to no longer help during the week because their presence isn't needed as the crowds become smaller, Spoden said. Other agencies also are available to help.

Officers and deputies need rest from long days at the Capitol and are needed on duty in Rock County, he said.

The sheriff's office sent 25 deputies every day to help when the protests first began, then 10 daily when help from other agencies arrived, Spoden said.

Janesville initially sent 10 officers and one supervisor a day, Moore said.

Recently, the sheriff's office, Janesville police and Beloit police have combined their resources to send 15 officers on days they're needed, officials said. Typically, each agency sends five staff members.

The administration department announced Thursday, Feb. 24, that it would reimburse agencies statewide that helped patrol the Capitol. Agencies have helped for weeks to monitor protests and relieve officers for time off.

The state is repaying agencies for pay, lodging and mileage it cost them to send staff members to Madison. The reimbursements will be retroactive to Feb. 18, when the state requested help.

Walworth County, Evansville, Edgerton and other agencies also have helped at the Capitol.

The Walworth County Sheriff's Office asked the state for $47,841 as reimbursement for sending deputies and command staff to Madison from Friday, Feb. 18, to Saturday, Feb. 26.

Walworth County sent 50 employees who spent almost 831 hours at the Capitol, according to a spreadsheet compiled by Walworth County Undersheriff Kurt Picknell.

Local officers went to the Capitol after a request for mutual aid. Departments often help one another for major events.