MANSFIELD — Many law enforcement agencies around the country recently pulled out of their security details for next week’s the Republican National Convention, including two Mansfield police officers.
Locally, the story is the same, with nearly all police departments and sheriff offices not joining the expected disorder next week. But the decision has little to do with being scared of what could happen — most of them can’t afford it.
“We’re just short-handed. Everybody’s looking for people (police officers),” Bellville chief of police Ron Willey said. “It makes it tough for smaller agencies when the larger ones offer full time work and better pay.”
Galion police chief Brian Saterfield echoed those sentiments.
“Absolutely not,” Saterfield said when asked if he will send officers up to Cleveland for security details. “We’re already a pretty small outfit. We need them here.”
Butler’s chief of police said the department cannot “afford anything like that.”
Up until Tuesday, Mansfield Police Department planned on sending two officers up to Cleveland to help with the city’s Motorcycle Unit. Chief of Police Ken Coontz said the department was unable to meet obligations. He declined to comment further.
Sheriff departments are not sending any deputies either.
Sheriff Steve Sheldon said the Richland Co. Sheriff’s Office was invited last summer to attend the convention, but that none of the deputies registered to serve as security details.
“We tend to work overtime here, so I don’t think there is any other specific reason. And it’s kind of a far drive,” Sheldon said.
He added there have been no second employment forms filled out at the department — and that the RNC will be safe without the department’s help.
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department will not send any deputies. Ashland County will not either; however, Sheriff Wayne Risner said the department was never invited.
“And we never thought about going,” he added.
Mansfield Patrol Post for the Ohio Highway Patrol will send three officers from its unit. Sergeant Michael Roth said three troopers will head up to Cleveland to serve security details during the week.
For security reasons, Roth declined to convey troopers’ names.
Also attending will be Richland County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Bailey and Deputy Director Rick Evans.
“I’ll be going up there for the 12-hour shift on Tuesday and Rick will do the one on Wednesday,” Bailey said.
They will each work a 12-hour shift in the many Emergency Operations Center. For security reasons, Bailey declined to comment on where the EOC is located. He said he felt it was his duty and responsibility to serve during the historical event.
“I can’t get into the brass tax of what we’ll be dealing with,” he said. “But we’re a resource center for the county. We make things happen for troops on the ground.”
Bailey was hopeful the RNC would be peaceful.
“We’re hoping and praying it goes smooth. I know how well we all work together and I expect the same thing in Cleveland. I’m sure everything will go fine,” Bailey said.
Salvation Army Captains Andrew and Melissa Betts plan to be on standby all next week, but have made no plans to make the trip as of yet.
“If something big happens and we’re called to go up and serve in any way, we’ll both go up, absolutely,” he said.
