Several new cities are joining the Northern Kentucky SWAT team, calling for an update to the interlocal agreement.
Southgate has been a part of what was previously known as the Kenton County SWAT team since around 2018. While the city has yet to have a need for the team’s resources, the council is unanimously in support of continuing their agreement.
At the city’s council meeting on March 4, the council approved the resolution to continue the interlocal agreement with NKY SWAT.
“I have 100% confidence in their abilities if we ever need them,” said police chief John Christmann of the SWAT team.
Christmann said that while Southgate does not have any officers that are a part of the team, the city itself is a member which gives them the ability to use their resources if necessary.
The chief explained that if the city was not a member of the team, they could expect to be billed upwards of $30,000 if they utilized SWAT for a situation.
“It’s basically an insurance policy,” Christmann stated.
The city of Alexandria also approved of the updated agreement in February of this year.