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Innovative Sheriff to head Ohio Security Effort

Union County Sheriff developed innovative programs and knows the value of technology in law enforcement

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Bob Taft recruited a veteran law enforcement officer to lead the state's homeland security efforts within the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Union County Sheriff John Overly brings more than 20 years of experience to his new post with the state and a strong record of using technology in law enforcement. Overly will report to Public Safety director Kenneth Morckel who also chairs the State of Ohio Security Task Force (SOSTF).

"Sheriff Overly brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement and community relations to help Ohio continue to strengthen our defenses and preparedness. He will be a great addition to the Department of Public Safety as we continue our work in ensuring the citizens of Ohio are safe," Governor Taft said in making the appointment.

Overly will direct the operational activities for the SOSTF and State Building Security Review Committee members to determine the best practices for enhancing Ohio's homeland security efforts. He will also provide technical input to Morckel in decision making for program development, analysis, and policies and procedures related to homeland security.

Overly says he will focus on multi-agency collaboration particularly in the communications arena. The state's Multi Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) has enabled numerous state and local law enforcement agencies to communicate across platforms. "In the next few weeks this whole system will be in place with an 800 Mghtz digital system," Overly said. "This will enable us to talk with multiple fire districts, hospitals health organizations and the Ohio department of Transportation. This is the only community in the country where all these entities can talk openly on one system."

The Union County Sheriff also attracted attention when he developed a unique "cross-training" program for his 26 deputies. "We have taken a team of officers and have cross-trained them, not only to serve as peace officers but also as fully certified medical technicians and as fully certified fire fighters," he said. About half the force has been through the program that Overly says will save lives. "It's a true first responder program," he added. "They have all been through the Weapons of Mass Destruction training and they have all the special equipment. It's a very exciting program and I don't know many others like it."

That may be because Overly invented the program. "I just came up with the idea one night because the northern parts of the county are more rural," he said. "Sometimes those minutes count." He added that law enforcement officers are often first to respond to an event because they, unlike other emergency workers, are driving areas in their policing capacity.

Overly thinks he can translate this best practice to a statewide program. "I think about taking that experience and applying it on a larger scale," he said. "And, we will be coordinating and continuing to work on the MARCS project and share our experiences with other sheriffs, police and fire agencies."

When he was first elected to office in 1982, Overly became the youngest sheriff in Ohio. He began his career in 1973 as a deputy and continued to rise through the ranks.