Lakewood Hospital

Lakewood grants the Cleveland Clinic Police Department arrest powers at Lakewood Hospital.

(File photo)

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - City Council has approved an agreement that grants Cleveland Clinic police officers the power to make arrests and investigate crimes in and around Lakewood Hospital.

The arrangement also would extend to a medical office building at 16215 Madison Ave. The buildings are operated by the clinic.

Council agreed Monday to grant police powers to Cleveland Clinic officers despite objections from Councilman Sam O'Leary, who voted against the measure.

What were O'Leary's concerns?

O'Leary questioned whether allowing a private police force to operate in the city would be in the best interests of its citizens. Instead, he said the Cleveland Clinic should hire more off-duty Lakewood police officers.

"Granting a private police force full police powers results in diminished transparency in the reporting of crimes, and reduced accountability to the public," O'Leary said. "To the extent the Cleveland Clinic truly felt that additional security forces are necessary at Lakewood Hospital, it could have paid for additional Lakewood police protection. Ultimately, I am not convinced that there is a real increased public safety benefit to the citizens of Lakewood under this arrangement."

O'Leary also questioned why the agreement is necessary since current plans call for Lakewood Hospital to close late next year and be replaced by a Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center. Other doctor's offices are not guarded by police, O'Leary said.

How did the remainder of council vote?

The remainder of council members at the meeting supported the agreement. Two of them, David Anderson and Mary Louise Madigan, said that after hearing from Lakewood Police Chief Timothy J. Malley they believed the two police departments could collaborate and work together effectively. Council members Shawn Juris, Cindy Marx, and Ryan Nowlin voted in favor of the agreement. Councilman Thomas Bullock was absent.

The agreement requires the Cleveland Clinic Police Department to provide Lakewood police with copies of crime reports within 24 hours of their completion.

City Law Director Kevin Butler said protocols outlined in the agreement should address transparency issues.

Council authorized and directed Mayor Michael Summers to sign an agreement with the Cleveland Clinic.

What is the background of the Cleveland Clinic Police Department?

The Cleveland Clinic established its own police department in 1987 and since that time it has policed the clinic's main campus in downtown Cleveland. The state allows hospitals to operate their own police departments.

The Cleveland Clinic police department is asking other suburban communities with Clinic hospitals and medical offices to grant its officers police powers. Mayfield Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Brunswick and Garfield Heights already have reached similar agreements with the Cleveland Clinic, said Cleveland Clinic Chief of Protective Services Gordon Snow.

Cleveland Clinic police officers are providing security services at Lakewood Hospital, but they have not been allowed to make arrests, Snow said. The new agreement means the clinic will not have to call Lakewood police for minor incidents, such as dealing with trespassing or theft suspects. However, Lakewood police still would be called for major crimes, like homicide. The agreement spells out specific instances, primarily involving felonies, in which the Lakewood Police Department would have investigative authority.

The agreement will free up Lakewood police from responding to the clinic as often, Snow said.

"It allows our police department to respond," he said. "It frees up city police for more serious calls."

The clinic operates in collaboration with city police departments, Snow said.

"We have great relationships with all the police chiefs," Snow said.

Malley said he was comfortable with the arrangement.

"It's no different than if the sheriff was going to be there or a highway patrolman or anyone else who has police power," the Lakewood police chief said.

However, O'Leary said he continues to have concerns, believing the Cleveland Clinic's motivation is to reduce costs.

Snow said cost-savings was not a factor, and that using its own police could increase costs.

The clinic uses a combination of private security guards, Cleveland Clinic police officers and off-duty Lakewood police officers to safeguard Lakewood Hospital and adjoining medical office buildings. Off-duty Lakewood police officers will continue playing a role in protecting Lakewood Hospital, but they can't do the job alone, Snow said.

Hospitals can be attractive targets for criminals, he said. They are filled with vulnerable people, drugs, and valuable equipment.

The Cleveland Clinic Police Department has 126 sworn officers, and it is one of only two hospitals nationally with a police force certified by the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agents, Snow said.

The agreement between the city and the Cleveland Clinic is posted below this story.

For more Fairview Park news, like us on Facebook.