OHIO — Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, several of Ohio’s police departments and even the National Guard are heading to Washington D.C. to beef up security and ensure public safety.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Cincinnati and Columbus Police are sending officers to D.C. to ensure public safety during Biden’s Inauguration

  • Gov. Mike DeWine has also activated the Ohio National Guard to go to D.C

  • Cincinnati police participate in securing the inauguration every four years, and view it as a high honor.


The Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) is sending 40 officers to Washington D.C. to ensure that the inauguration goes smoothly.

Cincinnati Police Lt. Steve Saunders is not assigned to travel this year but did take part in the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2017. He said CPD officers view this as a privilege to protect and serve the incoming president.

“It’s a high honor,” Saunders said. “It’s something that our officers get asked to do every four years when the inauguration rolls around. The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. reaches out to law enforcement agencies all around the country to request additional officers to support and provide a better public safety presence.”

 

He said typically it’s a cold and a long assignment that usually equates to a four-day trip for officers. But he doesn’t expect this to look like a normal inauguration.

“I don’t think there will be many spectators at all, just because of the COVID-19, the pandemic, and probably because of the most recent events at the Capitol,” he said. “Just for the overall security and safety of people at the Capitol there for the inauguration.”



Columbus Police are also sending a group of officers to D.C. to assist on Inauguration Day but did not disclose how many. However, the largest group heading to the nation’s capital will be the Ohio National Guard.

On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine signed an order activating the National Guard to assist at both the state Capitol building and the nation’s capital.

Around 200 guardsmen will be deployed to Washington, and 580 will be available across the state of Ohio.

 

The National Guard released this statement:

“The scope and duration of their support will be determined by the U.S. Secret Service, the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating, planning, and implementing security for the presidential inauguration. Since George Washington’s inauguration in 1789, the National Guard has supported the peaceful transition of power and ensured the safety and well-being of our fellow Americans.”

Saunders said CPD is prepared and looking forward to help protect our democracy and a peaceful transition of power.

“It’s a unique opportunity, and those officers who are going are very proud to be going there to represent the city of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Police Department."