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CLE police search nation for RNC security help

Posted at 8:03 PM, May 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-25 20:02:57-04

Cleveland is now searching the nation for help securing the Republican National Convention.

The city needs about 5,000 officers to be RNC ready, and they've partnered with agencies across the state, but that may not be enough.

Cleveland Chief of Police Calvin Williams said Wednesday he's still signing partnerships daily. NewsChannel 5 found those partnerships are with departments far west as Washington and as far south as Texas.

Austin, Texas police committed more than 80 officers. Louisville, Kentucky's Metro Police told NewsChannel 5 they're sending about 30 officers from their special response team.

Yakima, Washington's police department will send officers as well. A Yakima spokesman said they're looking at the RNC as a paid training opportunity. 

Greensboro, Denver, and Pittsburgh police departments said they are still on the fence. 

Others, like Seattle and Chicago, committed and then pulled out, according to the President of Cleveland's Police Patrolman Association, Steve Loomis.

NewsChannel 5 asked Loomis if there were concerns about bringing law enforcement from out-of-state into Cleveland to help with such a high profile event. 

"The devil is in the details, and that's what concerns us. Are they going to have to follow our protocol? They're not trained in our protocol. It's a delicate situation," he said. 

NewsChannel 5 checked with officials in Tampa, the last city to host this convention. They did not seek help outside of the state. 

Cleveland police did not return a request for comment.