OXFORD — Better equipment, better training and better support all make Oxford’s move to the Butler County Regional SWAT unit a good one for residents and all without a loss of local control, according to police officials.

Some have expressed a fear that merging Oxford’s Special Response Team into the countywide Special Weapons and Tactics unit would mean a loss of local control in crisis situations.

Sgt. Geoff Robinson says that is not the case. Use of SWAT in an emergency means the community is better protected with a well-trained group of people to offer experienced advice to the chief of police and support whatever course of action is chosen.

“The chief is in control in any situation in town,” Robinson said. “The chief makes the final decision but (SWAT members) can offer advice.”

SWAT team leaders have control of SWAT operations once approved by the local chief of police.

Approval for the Oxford Police Department’s involvement in the regional SWAT operation came in a resolution approved by Oxford City Council at its Dec. 4 meeting.

Police Chief Robert Holzworth told council at that time the move would provide better and more effective protection for the city with greater training and better equipment.

Oxford’s SRT was formed in 2006 with a combination of Oxford and Miami University police officers, led by Oxford police Sgt. Jon Varley, but as his department duties expanded, Robinson took the SRT leadership role. Robinson started with the team in 2009 after Miami had pulled its personnel from the SRT and more Oxford officers were needed.

The SRT grew out of the department’s Blue Uniform Support Team, which was spearheaded by now-retired Lt. Dan Umbstead. Officers took part in group and individual training, originally what Robinson described as “rudimentary stuff” as B.U.S.T. and increasing to more tactical training when it evolved into SRT.

The unit secured an armored truck several years ago which was used with some success, but “The truck was converted to our use, but it is not as armored as we thought it was,” Robinson said.

The expanded regional SWAT unit will better protect citizens all over the county, Robinson said, because of increased numbers, equipment and tactical training.

“We are able to be more tactically sound than if we tried to get by with what we had before. We can more safely and more capably do the job,” he said. “There is a lot of growth and a lot of people involved. Resources are growing while the dollars are shrinking. We can help each other to great benefit.”

They began talking to Lt. John Sons, of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, about joining the regional SWAT last spring.

“It is such a benefit from a training and personnel standpoint. God forbid that something happens, but now we have the best-trained people and equipment to handle it,” Robinson said. “We are combining tactics and growing our toolbox of what we can offer. Different guys are trained in specific areas and are now cross-training the rest of us.”

The equipment upgrade is impressive. Many Oxford residents have seen the converted truck the Oxford department used when it was displayed at various community events, including the August Pig Roast welcome event.

“We now possess two armored Humvees,” he said.

Robinson said merging the Oxford SRT into the regional SWAT operation has benefits on many levels, including the advanced training opportunities but also gives the area, including Oxford, protection with better equipment available through regional asset dollars. That money can help fund training, but also specialized equipment like self-contained oxygen units for use in cases of hazardous chemical incidents or chemical attacks.

Another advantage to the combined SWAT operation is it also includes firefighters and EMTs to have a well-rounded approach and medical help on hand in an emergency.

“The medic program provides care for us should something happen in an incident,” he said. “The medic comes right along with us.”

Six Oxford officers are involved in the regional SWAT operation, divided between the Red and Blue teams. Schedules are designed to not take away protection from communities which officers serve.

“First and foremost, we want to cover the city so we do not leave the city unprotected,” Robinson said.

Robinson said as the potential for school violence has increased in recent years, much SWAT training has centered on that and he said they recently held a training exercise at Bogan Elementary School.

“With the capability we have now should something come about, we will be able to handle the scenario with proper techniques, the same as a big team has,” he said.

It’s that use of experience and special training that makes him confident Oxford’s switch from its own SRT to a regional SWAT unit was a good move.