More Ohio police departments join efforts to save costs

CLEVELAND (AP) — A growing number of cash-strapped counties, townships and cities are combining police forces.

In Summit County, for example, most of Lakemore’s police force will be absorbed into neighboring Springfield Township’s department by June 1.

And the sheriff is in discussions with Akron over possibly sharing equipment, purchasing power and narcotics investigators.

Other agencies are following suit, sharing drug investigators and regular patrol officers.

Police Chief Craig Gilbride of Akron says stand-alone police departments — in northeast Ohio or elsewhere — probably aren’t going to exist much longer.

Cuyahoga County’s newly elected sheriff, Bob Reid, wants to increase his deputies’ patrol duties. But he says a projected budget deficit will make that difficult.