Private police units expand their power

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Peace officers who work separate from traditional city and county forces are playing a significant role in Ohio law enforcement, providing what one police chief calls a “necessary” service. Those officers, whose ranks are growing, are employed by organizations such as hospitals, colleges, airports and even a regional transit authority.

With a variety of options, peace officers can serve the public in a wide range of organizations. While some have concerns that there are too many overlapping agencies, others feel there is a benefit in more trained officers on patrol.

“Some of our public officers are spread pretty thin,” said Michael Norris, a Wright State associate sociology professor who teaches in the criminal justice program. “Consider how many officers we have and how much they have to cover with the population they have to serve. That’s a lot to ask without some help.”

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