CLEVELAND, Tenn. – A Bradley County commissioner wants to know why county sheriff’s deputies can’t use the Cleveland Police Department’s shooting range.
Commissioner Jim Smith’s question came up at a County Commission meeting while an officer was discussing another request, a rappelling wall for SWAT training.
Lt. John Stone agreed that a closer firing range is needed. Right now, deputies practice at the U.S. Forest Service’s range in Polk County, about an hour’s drive away.
The city’s firing range is on Cleveland Utilities property at the wastewater treatment plant near the Hiwassee River.
Cleveland Police Department spokeswoman Officer Evie West said last week that the police department can’t permit another agency to use the range because of liability issues.