Council heard from Chief Collins of the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office during a public portion of the Dec. 1 meeting and later adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the sheriff for police protection.

Chief Collins described the sheriff's office as "extremely strong" financially and organizationally and praised the long-standing partnership with Canal Winchester. Council members raised concerns about retaining local sergeants in place; Collins said he had "no plans of moving" Sergeant TJ Strong and explained promotion procedures: competitive testing for sergeant and lieutenant ranks and direct appointment by the sheriff for captain-level positions.

Collins also announced the sheriff's office would add a Special Victims-trained detective, Detective Jamie Schell, who will handle special victims cases in Canal Winchester and carry a supplemental general caseload to assist local investigations. "By having Detective Schell up here, you've also got that trained Special Victims Investigator that really kind of pushes things ... to the citizens," Collins said.

At the full council session the ordinance authorizing the agreement with the Fairfield County Sheriff for police protection (ordinance 25-027) was read and adopted by roll call.

Next steps: the approved ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute the sheriff contract. Staffing assignments and detective responsibilities will be implemented under the sheriff's operational control; promotion and appointment policies remain subject to the sheriff's internal rules.