By Police1 Staff
CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s police and EMS divisions are ramping up for this summer’s Republican National Convention.
FOX8.com reported that the security plan involves including a staff of 600 police officers devoted to the RNC and almost 2,300 officers from outside the city to help.
“We learned a great deal. There will be coordinated effort with federal, state, county, local law enforcement officers as well as law enforcement outside of our region who will be working on safety and security for the RNC convention,” Matt Zone, chairman of the safety committee, said.
The city recently approved contracts for two private ambulance companies to help provide services during the convention. The companies, according to EMS officials, will transport patients from the convention to the hospital, leaving city ambulances free to respond to calls.
“The ambulance coverage that you get today will remain the same,” acting EMS Commissioner Nicole Carlton said. “The private ambulance companies will be designated for the RNC and to transport people from RNC-related events to area hospitals.”
In addition to extra staff and ambulances, 2,000 sets of riot gear have been ordered. The president of the Cleveland police union, however, has been criticized for being slow in purchasing the riot gear.