POLICE DEPARTMENT Katherine McLaughlin, Police Chief
katherine.mclaughlin@beachwoodohio.com 216.464.1234
Technology, Equipment & Vehicles • Drone Program: A drone program was initiated for both Police and Fire. Recently, the city purchased a DJI Matrice 30 Series drone, plus other tools and components. A team of active certified pilots is being identified and will be trained. In 2023, two officers became trained and certified. In 2024, at least two more officers will be trained as pilots. Training will be hosted at the Beachwood Police Department. • Jail Upgrades: A Livescan finger print machine was purchased to replace an aging unit in the jail in order to continue to process and book prisoners in and out of jail efficiently. The jail lock server system also received an update. • Vehicles: The fleet was updated to include eight Ford Explorers which were put into service in 2023. A new armored vehicle was ordered with the EDGE SWAT communities. Expected delivery is scheduled for Spring 2024. Vehicles are all equipped with preemption technology. • Patrol Rifles: Deployed all rifles in the patrol units with Daniel Defense DDM4V7 S 11.5 BBL models which included tactical slings and Holosun red dot optics which were never deployed in the past. Previously, the rifles only had iron sights. Officer Training
Department personnel at National Night Out. Photography by Discovery Photo.
Active shooter training at Beachwood Place, January 2023.
• Active Shooter Training: Active Shooter training was completed in January 2023. This is the first time this training was completed since prior to COVID-19. This training was scheduled again for January 2024 and expanded to include EDGE SWAT communities. An additional active shooter training was held in August 2023 at Beachwood High School and Middle School. • Supervisor Training and Education Program: All patrol supervisors are being sent to the Supervisor Training and Education Program (S.T.E.P.). Six of the eight Sergeants have attended, with the final two attending in 2024. Department Personnel • Dispatch: The dispatch schedule and contract were restructured. This gave additional opportunity for leadership and advancement within the dispatch center. There are currently three additional Lead Dispatch Supervisor positions available. Assessments were held in December through Clancy and Associates. The department hopes to have the promotional process completed and new schedule underway by February 2024. At the end of 2023, interviews were also underway for one dispatcher. • SPEAR: Assigned two officers to SPEAR unit, including a Sergeant to oversee SPEAR as well as Co-Hatch at Beachwood Place. • Signing Bonus: A $2,500 signing bonus for personnel recruitment was approved for new hires, laterals and dispatchers. The bonus is paid immediately, but a one-year commitment is required; otherwise, the bonus must be repaid to the city. • Lateral Hires: Civic Service interviews were scheduled in December 2023 for lateral hires. The department is looking to fill two vacancies in early 2024. • Employee Wellness: In 2023, a wellness grant consisting of Power DMS and T-3 performance was available to all sworn officers. Every officer, dispatch and administrative employee in the department was met with in 2023 to troubleshoot and collaborate ideas moving forward. • Composite Departmental Photo: Beachwood Police completed and distributed a composite departmental photograph by a professional photographer. The last time a departmental photograph was taken was approximately 30 years ago.
State of the City
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