Sheriff seeks mutual-aid agreements to add Metro Parks and University of Akron to county SWAT team

Summit County’s public safety committee approved a resolution authorizing the county executive and sheriff to execute special weapons and tactics (SWAT) mutual-aid agreements with governmental organizations within the county, including the University of Akron and Summit Metro Parks, under Section 302.21 of the Ohio Revised Code. Bill Holland of the sheriff’s office presented the request and introduced Summit Metro Parks Chief Josh Hamlin, noting that participating employees will train with and “shoot with our SWAT team and then become a part of the team as well,” Holland said. Larry Brown accompanied Holland. Council voted on the resolution during the committee; the motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Bethany McKinney and carried. A committee member called an abstention during the vote; the committee chair said the vote carried despite simultaneous responses that made identifying the abstaining member difficult. Legal authority: The resolution cites Section 302.21 of the Ohio Revised Code as the statutory authorization for mutual-aid agreements. Next steps: The agreement authorizes formal participation by personnel from the named governmental entities in SWAT operations and training subject to agreement terms; no execution timeline was provided during the committee discussion.