SWAT
In 1987, under the direction of then Lt. John Germ (former Willowick Police Chief and former Lake County Narcotics Director), Willowick became one of the first police departments to create an Emergency Response Team (ERT) comprised of 5 Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) officers and 2 hostage negotiators. This has now expanded to become the Western Lake County ERT with 6 other cities participating. Eastlake, Wickliffe, Willowick, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills, Kirtland, and Waite Hill. Each department providing officers to work as a multi-agency response team for crisis situations. Today the team has over 20 officers, they conduct specialized training every month, and officers are on call 24/7. Sgt. Bruce D. LaForge, Ptl. Steven Fellinger, Ptl. John Beckwith, Ptl. Robert Daubenmire, Ptl. Chris Olup.
