'The police department is well prepared': Law enforcement will amp up security for 2024 RNC

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Law enforcement agencies in Milwaukee have two years to develop security plans for the Republican National Convention (RNC), and it's never too early to start. 

With tens of thousands of visitors expected in Milwaukee, law enforcement says it'll be all hands on deck deploying officers from around the state and beyond. 

With the police officer shortage in the city of Milwaukee, Andrew Wagner, who is the president of the Milwaukee Police Association, says they'll put calls out for help in neighboring jurisdictions from around the state and nationally. Wagner says it's quite common for events like the RNC. The amount of manpower needed is in the thousands. 

In 2020, for the Democratic National Convention (DNC), $50 million in federal funds were requested to pay officers and for equipment. The police officers will be patrolling the downtown area. 

Places like Fiserv Forum and the Wisconsin Center will be gated and heavily guarded with perimeter fencing, barriers, and canines. 

With mass shootings running rampant, CBS 58 asked Wagner how law enforcement will keep visitors and locals safe. 

"The police department is well prepared," said Wagner. "We have a major emergency response team that has been around for 10 to 15 years. That’s what they do, they train in protest-type services and we use our services in other cities so I think we're well prepared to do that here in Milwaukee." 

Wagner also mentioned he believed they will use most of the security and safety blueprint from the 2020 DNC.