Knoxville sends officers to Republican National Convention in Milwaukee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Police Department is one of several agencies from Tennessee sending officers to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Officials with KPD said the department is sending 10 officers to help with security at the RNC, which was in response to the Milwaukee Police Department’s nationwide mutual aid request.

“For our department, this is a unique opportunity for our officers to get on-the-job training and experience while helping to secure an event that will draw a significant national and international audience,” a spokesperson for KPD said. “It is also an opportunity for our officers to engage with and learn from other agencies across the country.”

The officers left Knoxville Saturday morning, several hours before the attempted assassination on Former President Donald Trump.

“Regardless of what’s going on across the country, we’re going to be professional and we’re gonna go up there and do a job,” said Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel. “More importantly, the area of responsibility we’re given, we’re gonna make sure that area is safe.”

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Even before Trump was injured in a shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania, security experts were calling the event the most “highly secured political event in our country’s history.”

In total, there will be more than 100 police agencies at the RNC, including Tennessee Highway Patrol, Metro Nashville and La Vergne police.

All the officers that will be in Milwaukee will be security for the more than 50,000 people heading to the event. KPD officers will be on bike patrol.

KPD added that all expenses will be reimbursed by the federal government.