Southwest General Health Center wants to convert security department to police force privateofficer.org
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio October 17 2018 — Chief Tristan Harker of Southwest General Health Center’s Protection Services Department wants police powers conferred on his 23 hospital officers. He appeared Oct. 8 before the Middleburg Heights Safety Committee to state his case.
“They are all ready to go and have already gone through the police academy,” Harker said. “There would be no financial burden on the city. It’s basically granting us the authority to act.”
He talked about incidents involving active shooters and violence that increasingly have become common in today’s society. His department’s jurisdiction would apply only to the health center grounds, and officers would not engage in traffic stops.
“It’s becoming the industry standard for hospitals to have their own private police departments,” Harker explained. “It would give us access to law enforcement information we currently don’t have, such as running a license plate or driver’s license, or checking to see if somebody has an active warrant or criminal history. We’re currently flying blind in that category.”
Even if city officials approve the request, the Middleburg Heights Police Department would continue to have overriding authority on all cases, Harker emphasized. Currently, his officers call the Police Department “a couple times a month.”
Detained offenders would be transported to a jail facility elsewhere. Anyone on the hospital campus who dials 911 will continue to be connected to the city Police Department.
Middleburg Heights Police Chief Ed Tomba told the committee he has no objection to granting police authority to Harker’s officers.
“We’ve been in discussion about it for six to eight months, and it’s been a cooperative effort, so I think this is a good step,” Tomba said. “It is the trend to be a little more self-sufficient.”
An affidavit from Ohio Gov. John Kasich gives the chief law enforcement officer of a municipality the authority to grant such powers. A Memorandum of Understanding already has been reviewed by the city’s Law Department and Southwest officials.
“It’s going to enhance the service they provide … and we think they’re going to be better trained,” Tomba added. “It’s a good plan.”
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