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The Winona officers haven’t gotten their specific assignments yet, but St. Paul is “going to need some help,” Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said.
Along with up to an estimated 3,500 other officers from around the state, they will be enlisted to perform myriad tasks, including traffic control and keeping the peace during demonstrations and possible protests.
Bostrack said the officers volunteered to help at the convention under a Joint Powers Agreement. The officers will be paid for their assistance, and all expenses — including travel and lodging — will be reimbursed.
Although they’ll be away from Winona for four days, Bostrack said the situation is “very doable” for the department.
He said some of the officers will be in St. Paul on their days off anyway and every open shift has already been assigned to others who are staying home.
The Winona County Sheriff’s Department didn’t have the manpower available to lend any officers to the convention, Chief Deputy Ron Ganrude said.
Contact Kevin Behr at kbehr@winonadailynews.com.
