Support Services Bureau

The Support Services Bureau is led and directed by Commander John Cole. The following Units report to the Bureau Commander:

• Investigation and Engagement Units
• Police Information Unit
• Professional Standards Unit
• Internal Affairs Unit
• Training and Recruitment Unit
• Property Management Unit
• Jail Management Unit

Support Services is responsible for maintaining the Department's accredited status, records, investigations, training, and recruitment. Personnel take great pride in assisting our community with information requests and investigations.

This Bureau is led by Commander John Cole, a twenty-eight year veteran of law enforcement. The Support Services Bureau is responsible for providing information and administrative assistance to the Office of the Chief of Police, Uniform Services Bureau and Community through Accreditation and Professional Standards, Community Services, Investigations, Information Sharing, Internal Affairs and Inspections, Jail Management, Media Relations, Property, Public Records, Recruitment, Risk Management, Social Media and Training. 

Commander Cole began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a Cleveland Police Officer.  While serving in District 4 Police Headquarters, he was admitted to the Practice of Law and took leave to serve as a Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney. He returned to police work, earned promotions and was selected for assignments within the Training Section, Office of the Chief of Police and Internal Affairs Unit. In 2011, he left the Cleveland Division of Police as the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Victims Section where he managed Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault investigations; and, accepted employment as Commander within the Shaker Heights Police Department. His leadership and management includes the areas of accreditation, media relations, labor relations, internal affairs, inspections  and discipline, risk management, investigations, training, recruitment, building security, jail operations and public records.

Commander Cole holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Juris Doctor. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 234^th Session, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Police Legal Advisor course and various management schools. Commander Cole has served as an Instructor at the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy, State and Regional facilities, Ohio School Resource Officer’s Association, Cleveland Division of Police Training Academy and Shaker Heights Police Department In-Service. Commander Cole holds a professional membership with the Ohio State Bar Association, is a certified basketball official and volleyball line judge; and, volunteers with Cleveland Legal Aid.

Property Management Unit

The Property Management Unit manages the efficient storage and retention of all evidence and personal property collected and/or confiscated. The Property Custodian coordinates the release of property.

Learn more about: 

• How we handle found/recovered property.
• How to claim property. 
• The annual property auction.

Jail Management Unit

The Shaker Heights Police Department is certified through the State of Ohio as a 12-day holding facility. However, our inmates are currently held at Solon Jail.

Please contact the Solon Jail at 440-349-3691 or visit their website for questions about inmate visitation.