CLERMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
A. J. Rodenberg, Jr., Sheriff
"Leadership By Example"
Office (513) 732-7500
PRESS RELEASE
To : All Media
From: Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg, Jr.
Clermont County Sheriff's Office
Date: July 21, 2006
Re: Wayne Township Police Department
Wayne Township, Clermont County has recently established a township police department. The Wayne Township Police Department will be compiled, at least currently, of part-time fully trained, experienced police officers. Their goal is to provide law enforcement services to the township twelve hours per day, six days per week (72 hours per week) as first responders, fully agreeing that in the event of a major crime, the County Sheriff would be utilized for investigation and or any presentation of evidence to the court system. It was agreed upon that the Sheriff will maintain all jurisdiction and authority for the investigation of all homicides, robberies, kidnappings, arson, rapes and serious cases of child abuse. Wayne Township officers may be used in the investigation at the discretion of the county supervisor and must follow county protocol prior to the Sheriff’s Office taking command of the incident after notification. Copies of Sheriff’s Office policies and standards relating to evidence collection and preservation have been forwarded to the Wayne Township Police Department, which they will find helpful while securing crime scenes and awaiting the arrival of Sheriff’s Office units..
In the event of an emergency, or calls for service requiring the presence of more than one officer, the Sheriff agrees to provide mutual aid and officer assistance to Wayne Township. It was agreed that if the county unit arrives first, the deputy will carry the report and all other aspects of a formal investigation. Should Wayne Township be the first to arrive on the scene, Wayne Township will be responsible for the subsequent investigation and follow up. Likewise the county sheriff will provide deputies to answer radio runs or calls for service outside their hours of operation and carry all responsibilities of follow up and investigation as well as concluding these matters. Furthermore, Wayne Township Police would be responsible for all operations, reporting, and investigations of radio runs or calls for service while maintaining a presence in the township and available for assignments. The Sheriff will not provide a deputy to this area while Wayne Township Police are on duty rather assign the deputy to another township for service and daily tasks. It was agreed by all parties that there was no need in duplicating investigative efforts or processes and that each agency will do their own unless it involved a major crime in which the Sheriff will take all jurisdiction. The Sheriff encourages the Wayne Township Police Department to maintain good communication with the Clermont County Communication Center on their hours of work so deputies and supervisors with our office are informed and ready to assign deputies to full time law enforcement service in the township in their absence. There was discussion with Wayne Township about the need and ability to pass along critical information as it relates to developing crime trends or officer awareness between both agencies. The use of email and faxes must be utilized as well as the passing of important information via the communication center and attendance at meetings held by the Police Chief’s and Sheriff’s Association and the county wide Investigator’s meeting held each month. Sharing important information about Wayne Township and its criminal element is absolutely critical if this joint or splitting of duties into two law enforcement agencies is to be successful.
The Sheriff can also provide specialized units to the Wayne Township Police, as is done currently for all other police agencies within our county, in emergency situations to include; Special Response Team, Dive Team, Traffic Safety Unit, patrol canines and bloodhound, and Narcotics by contacting the supervisor on duty at the Sheriff’s Office. The Clermont County Narcotics Unit can be contacted directly to make a report or make contact with an agent at 625-2806.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to continuing our service to the Wayne Township community. Due to the complicated nature of blended service it is important that the citizens of Wayne Township be informed and understand the aforementioned plan and responsibility level.