Senator Bratton was elected chairman of the Joint Committee on Capitol Security during an organizational meeting of the Missouri General Assembly, and the committee voted to move into a closed session to address law-enforcement-sensitive security planning related to the upcoming Jan. 13 inauguration and inaugural ball.

The committee, convened to review the operation and supervision of the state capitol and its security apparatus, was created under statutory committee authority. Senator Bratton said members and staff have raised concerns that recent actions "have potentially hampered the capability of members and staff alike to be efficiently and effectively able to perform and and be a part of the solution in in the security apparatus of this building." The committee's stated focus includes reviewing entry screening practices and notification procedures for threats.

By roll call, the committee recorded "6 aye" for the motion electing Senator Bratton chairman. The panel then nominated and confirmed Representative Roberts as vice chair; the committee called a roll for that nomination and congratulated Roberts on the election (tally not specified in the transcript). The committee subsequently voted to go into a closed session citing Missouri statutes governing closed meetings because the discussion would involve security-sensitive information.

Sandy Karsten, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS), testified as the appointing authority for the Missouri Capitol Police. Karsten said, "I've been in this position for the last 6 years and 5 months, and I have about a day and a half left in this position," and said she attended to answer questions about the agency's role and historical background.

Chief Swartz, chief of the Missouri Capitol Police, told the committee he was appointed chief in January 2020 and said he has roughly 33 years of law enforcement, emergency management and 9-1-1 experience. He said the Capitol Police have been meeting in recent months with multiple stakeholders, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri National Guard and other law enforcement agencies, to plan security for inauguration events and related activities.

On coordination with legislative leaders, Chief Swartz said his office has relied on the governor's office to disseminate information about invited attendees and event plans and that House and Senate security staff were involved in initial planning meetings. The committee chair said some members and staff reported inconsistent entry screening — with some members stopped at certain entrances while other visitors were not screened — and raised concerns about instances when leadership said they were not notified about threats, including bomb threats.

Given the security-sensitive nature of some details, the chairman moved and the committee approved moving into a closed session under the cited Missouri statutes to permit fuller discussion. The committee asked that two staff members, Cindy Kadlec and Ryan Clearwater, be allowed to remain during the closed session.

After returning from closed session, the committee concluded its business and adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chair: Motion to elect Senator Bratton as chairman — outcome: carried; recorded roll call: 6 aye. (Motion text: "that Senator Bratton be elected chairman")
- Election of vice chair: Motion to nominate Representative Roberts as vice chair — outcome: carried; roll called and Roberts congratulated (tally not specified in transcript). (Motion text: "nominate Representative Roberts")
- Motion to go into closed session: Motion citing sections 610.022; 610.021(19); and 8.173 of the Missouri Revised Statutes for law-enforcement-sensitive security matters — outcome: carried; committee moved into closed session and later reconvened.

The committee framed its work as an inquiry into notification, screening and coordination practices for Capitol security and stated an intent to develop recommendations for supervision and accountability of the Capitol Police and related security procedures.