Bloomington police create executive protection unit amid rising political violence

Bloomington, MN - The Bloomington Police Department has established a new executive protection unit in response to escalating political violence and threats against lawmakers. Chief Booker Hodges announced the creation of the unit, the first of its kind in the state, during a press conference on Thursday.

Unit trained by secret service and fbi

Hodges cited alarming incidents, including the murder of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the attempted assassinations of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and President Donald Trump. Officers within the new unit received training from the U.S. Secret Service and FBI.

The executive protection unit will conduct threat assessments, provide security for high-profile events and public officials, and investigate threats. Hodges revealed that even as Chief of Police, he's faced threats himself, with 78 reported against lawmakers so far this year, a sharp increase from previous years.