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Police chief reports hiring setbacks; council hears about 'Tea with PCPD' outreach
Summary
Plain City Police Chief reported setbacks in local hiring — including a candidate who failed the physical agility test and another who accepted another job — and described community outreach titled 'Tea with PCPD.'
Plain City Police Chief (identified in the transcript as Chief McKee) told the council on June 9 that the department’s recent hiring process had been “very frustrating,” citing at least three specific setbacks: one preferred candidate failed the physical agility test because of a work injury and was awaiting an MRI that could delay return by “two weeks” to “six months”; another candidate had background issues that the chief said made them unsuitable; and a third candidate accepted another department’s offer.
Chief McKee said the department has renewed recruitment efforts and was interviewing already‑certified candidates scheduled to appear in the coming weeks. He also reported on a community outreach event — described in the meeting as “Tea with PCPD” (a local version of Coffee with a Cop) — that drew a substantial turnout and provided an opportunity for new residents to meet officers and ask questions about public safety and local services.
Why it matters: Staffing shortages or delays can affect patrol capacity and response times; recruitment and certification timelines vary and can be affected by medical clearances and background findings. The outreach event is part of the department’s community engagement work to connect with new residents.
Details: The chief described the agility test failure as linked to an on‑the‑job injury; he said an MRI result would determine if the candidate could return to duty within weeks or many months. The transcript records that another candidate’s background issues led staff to conclude the person would not be an appropriate fit, and a separate candidate was hired elsewhere. The chief said the department is interviewing certified officers and continuing recruitment.
Ending: The transcript records no formal council action on police staffing at the meeting; recruitment remains ongoing and the department expects to report back as candidates’ certifications and medical clearances become available.
