The Capitol Detail is responsible for patrolling the State Capitol Complex, providing security for state buildings, and supporting the operations of the State Police.
The State Capitol Complex contains both the Capitol and Governor's Mansion and is bounded on the south by Main Street, on the west by the Mississippi River, on the north by Choctaw Drive, and on the east by the Kansas City Southern Railway tracks. This vibrant area in Downtown Baton Rouge is home to many state buildings, museums, restaurants, hotels, shops, and the historic neighborhood known as Spanish Town.
The Capitol Detail is one of the most versatile sections in the Department of Public Safety. Officers can often be seen working special events around the area, including Mardi Gras parades, festivals, legislative sessions, and other public events. In addition to vehicular and foot patrols, the Capitol Detail also maintains a bicycle patrol division, the only unit of its type in the State Police.
DPS Officers also provide police protection to thousands of state employees in state buildings across Louisiana. In addition to Baton Rouge, Capitol Detail Officers secure buildings in New Orleans, Harvey, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe.
Officers assigned to these duties conduct proactive police patrols of the State Capitol Complex. Officers enforce state and local laws and ordinances, conduct proactive traffic and criminal enforcement, investigate crimes, and prevent and deter unlawful activity. In addition to their police duties, officers frequently act as ambassadors of the state as they interact with visitors to our great state.
The Capitol Detail Bike Unit consists of specially trained and equipped officers who carry out patrol duties in Downtown Baton Rouge. These officers focus on community policing by attending regional and local events promoting bike safety. Bike team officers must pass a rigorous one-week training prior to becoming certified by an in-house instructor. To request a bike officer attend your public event, please email a request to [email protected].
The Capitol Detail is a member of the Capitol Area Regional Safety Coalition. Officers with the section participate in the distracted driving, impaired driving, child passenger safety, and bike and pedestrian emphasis areas of the coalition.
Officers assigned to these duties provide police protection to thousands of state employees and visitors throughout Louisiana. These officers enforce state and local laws and ordinances, conduct frequent security patrols, investigate crimes, and prevent and deter unlawful activity. These officers are the face of the section in their respective buildings and are the backbone of the Capitol Detail.
Interested in working for the Capitol Detail? The section offers competitive pay, frequent overtime opportunities, state retirement, health insurance, take-home car, paid vacation, advanced training opportunities, and much more. While POST – Certified applicants are preferred, no experience is necessary to apply.
Captain J. Lyons Hale III
Capitol Detail Commander
Lt. Chad Higginbotham
Executive Officer
Phone: 225-219-4410
Email: [email protected]