Nearly a dozen Springfield Police officers are hitting the road and heading to the nation’s capital to boost security during the presidential transfer of power.

Ten officers and one lieutenant from the Springfield Police Department have been called to support law enforcement at the Presidential Inauguration.

The Springfield officers, who are part of the Mobile Field Force team locally that specializes in crowd control, will likely be working along the Inaugural parade route, said Lieutenant Joe Phillips, who is commander of the Mobile Field Force team in the Springfield region.

The Springfield officers will be working with and supporting the Metropolitan Police Department who are more familiar with the laws in Washington D.C.

The Springfield team will also join around 4,000 officers who are traveling to the nation's capital from across the U.S.

Phillips said the opportunity maybe comes once in a lifetime or in the career of a police officer.

Why are Springfield Police officers being sent?

Authorities contacted Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette who chose to send the Mobile Field Force team, Phillips said.

In addition to crowd control, the team specializes in mutual aid response, which is when emergency responders agree to help one another.

What other major events has the team been called to assist?

In recent years, they have beefed up police presence at the Democratic National Convention as well as the Republican National Convention. They also worked at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh.

The team mostly puts their training to use in Springfield at events where there are large crowds.

Do assisting departments get paid to help?

The trip and its expenses will be reimbursed by the Metropolitan Police Department.

Springfield police are also looking to learn from the experience. While the Springfield officers are well-versed with crowds and political figures, Phillips said he and the team will be looking to learn from the police there who routinely protect the president and other high-profile politicians.

Will the event affect policing in Springfield?

No, the attending officers are from different divisions and units within the department, and there are enough officers in Springfield to cover the shifts.

The Illinois National Guard is also sending troops

Approximately 140 Illinois National Guard members are deploying on federal orders.

Around 110 Soldiers and 30 Airmen from the Illinois National Guard will attend.

The Illinois National Guard force will include 100 Military Police Soldiers from the 933 ^rd Military Police Company, based in Fort Sheridan, and about 30 Security Forces Airmen from the 183rd Wing based in Springfield, the 126th Air Refueling Wing based at Scott Air Force Base, and the 182nd Airlift Wing based in Peoria.

There will also be a few service members in the 5 ^th Civil Support Team (CST), based in Bartonville, and the 126 ^th Air Refueling Wing, based at Scott Air Force Base.