Meeting Recap

Ashley Gay led off the meeting with the invocation and pledge.

New Member Induction

We inducted new member Chris Choler to the club on Friday.  

Tour of the Police Station

Last Friday, members of the Rotary Club had the unique opportunity to tour the Strongsville Police Department with Chief Tom O’Deens as our guide. The tour offered a comprehensive look at both the inner workings of the department and the critical services it provides to our community.

Department Leadership and Staffing

Chief O’Deens leads a department of 74 full-time officers, supported by two deputy chiefs—one overseeing patrol and the detective bureau, the other managing administrative functions. Among the department’s leadership is Lieutenant Shamus Kelley, a well-known figure in town and current president of the police union. While current staffing is considered efficient, Chief O’Deens noted he would ideally like to add officers to serve exclusively in elementary schools. At present, officers are stationed at both the middle and high schools.

Tour Highlights: From Records to Response

The tour began in the administrative wing, where we were introduced to the backbone of the department’s daily operations, including Amanda, the chief’s secretary, who keeps the administrative side running smoothly. The records room, where residents can obtain reports and documents, and planning offices round out what Chief O’Deens jokingly referred to as the “boring end” of the hallway.

The tour continued through specialized areas like the soft interview rooms used for sensitive cases involving children or sexual assault victims. These spaces are designed for comfort and privacy, ensuring trauma-informed practices are in place. Attendees also met Cindy, the department’s victim advocate and liaison with Berea Court, who supports victims of domestic violence and helps manage misdemeanor and preliminary felony cases.

Training, Equipment, and Innovation

Officer training is continuous and rigorous. We visited the department’s taser training area, where officers learn de-escalation techniques and conduct realistic scenario-based exercises. The indoor firing range, a newer facility, allows officers to maintain firearms proficiency with five shooting lanes and realistic lighting conditions simulating nighttime traffic stops. Chief O’Deens explained that officers currently carry 9mm Glocks, a shift from the previously used .45 caliber models.

The tour also included a visit to the evidence lab and fentanyl hood, a safety feature that allows officers to process potentially dangerous narcotics without risk of exposure. Technology in this area has made significant strides, allowing much of the evidence analysis to be done in-house without the need to send materials to state labs.

Inside the Jail

Strongsville operates a 12-day holding facility, housing individuals not only from the city but from 13 to 16 surrounding communities. Male and female inmates are housed separately by both sight and sound to maintain safety and reduce risk of misconduct. The jail includes a control room with full video surveillance of every area, as well as booking rooms, intoxilyzers, and padded cells for combative or high-risk individuals.

Inmates are not kept in solitary confinement unless necessary. They have access to common areas with TVs and books, and meals are now provided via a cost-effective frozen food service. Chief O’Deens shared that while the jail used to hold traditional criminal populations, today’s inmates are often dealing with substance abuse or mental health crises—changing the nature of the job for correctional officers.

Technology and Tactical Tools

Chief O’Deens gave a preview of the department’s growing investment in technology. Drones are now an integral part of operations, used for event monitoring, search and rescue (particularly with autism or dementia cases), and tactical responses. Strongsville was an early adopter and now deploys drones on nearly every shift.

The department also makes use of Flock cameras installed across the city’s main roads. These license plate readers can identify vehicles with outstanding warrants, expired registrations, or those linked to crimes in neighboring jurisdictions.

The tour wrapped up with a look at the department’s tactical and mobile response units. This included their fully outfitted armored vehicle for high-risk incidents, an evidence collection van for on-site forensic work, and their motorcycle unit.

Public Engagement and Citizen Opportunities

Throughout the tour, Chief O’Deens emphasized the importance of community engagement. He encouraged Rotarians to consider signing up for the Citizen Police Academy, a multi-session program that gives residents hands-on experience and deeper understanding of law enforcement work. Several Rotary members have participated in past years and shared positive experiences.  An application form is available at documents/en-ca/e008f555-f161-4cbf-88aa-9df49f729229/1 or contact Shamus.Kelley@strongsville.org

Chief O’Deens also noted the department’s commitment to transparency and technology, from widespread body camera use to digital booking and video arraignment—tools that reduce transport costs and ensure accountability.