Bath Township May Leave Metro SWAT Team

Bath Township Police Chief Michael McNeely has recommended that the township pull out of its membership in the Metro SWAT Team.

McNeely said the membership costs too much -- both in time and manpower. The department has used the SWAT team once in six years. For each of those years it cost the township $3,293 to be a member of the team. In addition, the department has to provide two officers to the unit, which amounts to about $15,000 in lost wages.

“The Ohio State Highway Patrol would provide this service to Bath, (with) members from Summit and adjoining counties at our request,” McNeely said. “The response time would be about the same.  There is no charge for the service.”

Metro SWAT is a team of police officers from 22 participating departments  The unit is made up of 52 officers skilled in marksmanship, chemical munitions and hostage negotiations.  The team also includes seven medics, three doctors and a psychologist. The department is dispatched out of Stow.

Fairlawn uses the Metro SWAT Team. Chief Kenneth Walsh said the membership "is a comfort. I like konwing they're out there and will come when we call, but making the choice to have them is up to each department."

McNeely has said the level of service from the State Patrol would be the same, “if not better.

"We would save a significant amount of money," the chief said. "Also, our need for this type of service has been minimal.”

Bath Township Trustees would have to vote to make the change, which some members favor. The group has tabled a vote on the issue until members of the community have time to offer their opinions.  The next trustees meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 22.