New regional SWAT team - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

New regional SWAT team

Posted: Updated:

A new regional SWAT team wrapped up training on Friday.

The unit in Northern Wood County is made up of 17 officers from several police departments including Perrysburg, Perrysburg Township, Lake Township, and Northwood.

It's formed to be a way to pool limited resources and keep the community safe.

"We need to have a response if something were to go drastically wrong. It's very crucial and it's a really good service to all the citizens in the area," says Perrysburg Township Police Officer Joseph Ball. "We've concocted this team of specially trained individuals so we can properly respond to things such as the high risk search warrants, the barricaded gunman, the suicidal individuals who are in crisis."

"It feels great working hard toward something and ultimately it's going to benefit Northern Wood County," says Lake Township Police Officer Todd Cromer. "We can respond in critical situations. Hopefully we can get it settled in a civil manner."

The Northern Regional SWAT team spent the week training at the Center for Emergency Preparedness at Owens Community College.

All of the officers will remain on the streets with their home departments, but if a high risk situation comes up they'll be able to respond with the SWAT team.

  • Top Stories

  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:11:56 GMT
    A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
    A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:23:10 GMT
    A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
    A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:18:47 GMT
    For some people in Northwest Ohio, the image of a massive tornado is something they only see on TV.  But Allan Detrich puts himself directly in their path."Seeing the storms out in the plains, they're
    A local man remembers being in Oklahoma City in 1999, when a massive tornado ravaged the city.  Allan Detrich of Fremont says the area was devastated and Monday's tornado reminds him of what happened some 14 years ago.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!