Cleveland Metroparks
Police Department
January 2023 Agency of the Month
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“The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Community Relations and Engagement Committee is pleased to recognize the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department for our January, 2023 Agency of the Month for our Sharing Ohio’s Best program. This program was formed to help showcase the incredible efforts that our Ohio agencies put forth each year to provide quality community policing opportunities. Chief Stillman and the staff have proven that they are actively engaged in their parks and territories that they patrol. Whether in the water, or on the ground visiting different events or parks, they have proven that they are reaching out to build relationships. This speaks towards their creativity and vision of a better tomorrow! Congratulations to the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department for being named our January, 2023 Agency of the Month!”
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On behalf of Chief K.J. Stillman with the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department, I would like to take some time to showcase our agency’s community engagement initiatives. Cleveland Metroparks Police Officers participate in a number of community outreach events and programs. Here are a few of the community engagement opportunities that we have been and are currently involved in: |
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Lieutenant Petrucci and the Motorcycle Unit participated in the 27th annual Fairview Hospital Toy Run. This was a ride for a cause! This Harley-Davidson and Cleveland Clinic sponsored event raises funds and toy donations to be given to children being treated at Fairview Hospital.
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Officers participate in the Safe Kids/Safe Communities Event at our Stillwater property located inside the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. One of our K-9 Officers, Chelsea Schoch and her partner Zeke attended this event to help address safety concerns within the community. |
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Although our title has since changed to “Police” we participate in a program called, “Read with a Ranger". Officers attend several local elementary Schools and read books to the children. Most recently, Officer Mallory Crawford attended the Dentzler Elementary School in Parma, Ohio. Officer Crawford read a safety-related story to the class, and spoke about working as a police officer in the Cleveland Metroparks. |
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The Cleveland Metroparks Police Mounted Unit is going on its 5th consecutive year with our “Ride the Beach” fundraiser. Our event provides the public an opportunity to bring their own horse and ride the Cleveland shoreline at historic Edgewater Beach - taking in the spectacular views, plenty of photo opportunities, and time in the water if you choose. Proceeds directly assist the Mounted Unit with specialized equipment purchases and unique training opportunities.
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Our Officers get involved with a local Fishing Derby at Wallace Lake, in Strongsville, Ohio and one at the Ohio and Erie Canal, located in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio. This year, Officer Kort attended this event that encourages youth to interact with police officers while learning how to fish. |
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We love attending any career fairs that we are able to. This year, we attended one career fair at Charles A. Mooney Middle School located in Cleveland, Ohio. Officer Whaley attended this event, with other local police departments, to reach out to students showing an interest at becoming future officers. |
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Although we don’t have schools of our own, we love to visit local schools within our jurisdictions. Recently, we visited Strongsville Middle School, in Strongsville, Ohio, where K9 Officer Simko performed a K9 demonstration with K9 Zeke. The event was also done to attract benefactors for cancer research. |
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Our Cleveland Metroparks Marine Unit is shown below having fun and interacting with some of our park guests: |
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Officers attend several area safety fairs in our local jurisdictions. Most recently, officers attended the North Royalton Safety Fair. Officer Newman arrived on his horse (Mounted Unit) to the event that showcased to the public the various police, fire, and EMS departments serving in the area. Our mounted unit is always a great conversation starter and is consistently drawing in a crowd. |
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Officers attend the Polaris Police academy in Middleburg Heights, Ohio to give presentations of how our Police Department operates and to inform cadets of the opportunities that can be found within our department. This year, we visited on two separate occasions. K9 Officer Simko performed a K9 demonstration for a group of young cadets. On a separate occasion, Officer Chelsea Schoch also performed a K-9 Demonstration and gave a presentation on our department. |
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Officers attend several “National Night out Events” hosted at our Cleveland Metropark Properties. |
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We participate in an event called, “Creek Crawlers" Camp - located at our property “Look About Lodge”, Bentleyville, Ohio. K9 Officer Simko recently attended this Cleveland Metroparks summer camp to demonstrate Zeke's abilities to many young campers. This same program was held at the North Chagrin Nature Center in Willoughby, Ohio this year to which we also attended. |
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Our Mounted Unit was recently involved in a program called "Ice Cream with a Cop" at Euclid Beach in Cleveland, Ohio. Sgt. Jessica McNally (Mounted) attended this youth summer camp sponsored by the Cleveland Metroparks to encourage positive interaction amongst youth and the police. |
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We often get involved in events at surrounding public libraries. Recently, we we found at the Cleveland Public Library, Fulton Branch, in Cleveland, Ohio, where K9 Officer Simko gave a presentation and demonstration with her K9 partner, Zeke. |
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We visited Grace Church in North Olmsted, Ohio where K9 Officer Collins performed a K9 demonstration to attendee to showcase Chase's abilities for church members |
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K9 Officer C. Schoch attended Brimfield Family Day in Brimfield, Ohio, where K9 Creed was able to showcase his skills and abilities for a number of attendees. |
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At Wade Park Elementary in Cleveland, Ohio, Officers Whaley and Tolliver attended the “National Father's Walk”. This program honors and celebrate’s fathers and father figures and highlight’s their importance in the lives of their children. |
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Recently, Officer Elliot attended a block watch event in Old Brooklyn, Ohio for the Old Brooklyn Society. This event was held to help area residents familiarize themselves with CMPD and other local police agencies serving the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. |
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Our department partakes in many parades within our cities of jurisdiction. Recently, we attended the City of Mayfield Heights Unity Day Parade- located Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Officer Whaley drove a marked CMPD cruiser in the parade that encouraged positive community interaction with local police agencies serving the area. |
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Sergeant Medlock and Officer Tolliver attended an event at the Cleveland IX Center called, “Meet your local Heroes” – local children were able to come by and meet our officers, get some free items, ask questions, and check out the police cruiser. |
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The Cleveland Metroparks Police Department is proud to serve the many communities around us. Please accept this as our submission to the CREC committee as entry to be considered for the “Agency of the Month” for the Sharing Ohio’s Best Program. Thank you for your consideration as well as this wonderful opportunity to bring our department's efforts to light. |
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ATTENTION OACP MEMBERS:
We want YOU to submit your story; best community policing ideas!
- We are here to help share the good things happening in Ohio’s law enforcement agencies with one another and in local media!
- OACP Member agencies are then eligible to receive a small grant to help keep your community policing ideas moving in the right direction!
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