Police report: COPS grant for two officers, three vacancies and library safety concerns

Police Chief Deidusheimer updated Mount Healthy City Council on staffing, training and public-safety trends and said the department received a federal COPS grant to fund two officers.

"We received the COPS grant for 2 officers," the chief told council, noting the department currently has three full-time vacancies. He said the department has interviewed several candidates, some certified and some not, and would send noncertified hires to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy for training if they are hired.

Deidusheimer also reported that the department completed officers' CPT (continuing professional training) hours for 2025 and that those training submissions generate state reimbursement. He said the department established a fee schedule for public requests for body-camera footage to recoup editing and redaction costs, which has reduced the number of requests being made.

Council members asked about recruiting prospects, vehicle fleet mileage and patrol-vehicle allocation. The chief said some candidates are certified officers from other departments and that the newest patrol vehicle (a 2024 Chevy Tahoe) has only recently been placed into service after outfitting.

Separately, Miss Dosa reported ongoing safety concerns at the Mount Healthy Library and said library manager Raya has asked to meet with council to discuss collaborative policy changes and possible increased security; council and library staff plan to meet in the coming week.

Chief Deidusheimer also updated council on a prior shooting at Clovenook Apartments, saying investigators "know who it is" but do not have sufficient cooperation from victims to charge suspects at this time.