California lends RNC law enforcement to aid with crowd control

California will add some extra protection at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week.

California deployed 61 law enforcement officers to Wisconsin thanks to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), according to a news release from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. It's a mutual aid agreement between states that lets them share resources to combat natural and manmade disasters, including terrorism threats.

This comes two days after a would-be assassin shot former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, grazing Trump's ear and killing two of his supporters.

The request for these officers has been in place since May 2024 – two months before that incident.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is coordinating the request. The state is sending 40 members of the California Highway Patrol, plus additional officers from Bakersfield, Fresno, and Long Beach police departments.

"Public safety transcends party lines," Newsom said in the release. "California is proud to support our law enforcement colleagues in Wisconsin during this important political event. Working together, we are helping to provide a safe and secure environment for all participants at the Republican National Convention."

Nancy Ward, Cal OES Director, said the state's police will help make the event safer.

"It is critical we support our law enforcement colleagues in Wisconsin and the safety of participants at this significant event," Ward said in the release. "California's peace officers are well-trained and experienced in handling large-scale events, and we are confident in their ability to enhance the security operations in Milwaukee."

The California law enforcement officers will work with local law enforcement agencies at the event.

Some of their responsibilities will include "crowd management, traffic control, and ensuring public safety throughout the duration of the convention," the release said.