Plain City Council authorizes conditional police offer to third candidate to shore up staffing

The Plain City Council on Aug. 25 authorized Police Chief Dale McKee to extend a conditional offer of employment to a third candidate for the police officer position to ensure staffing continuity as retirements approach.

Chief McKee told the Council the department’s interview panel identified three priority candidates. The first-ranked candidate failed a background check and is no longer eligible; the department extended a conditional offer to the second candidate, who is scheduled to begin Ohio Peace Officer training in October 2025. The third candidate, who may seek an early discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, could also start the October academy if released early; otherwise he would begin training in April 2026.

Councilmember A. Lewis recommended extending conditional offers to both the second and third candidates so both could occupy two available October academy slots. McKee said timing is important because academy training and department onboarding take several months and affect when new officers become field-ready.

Mr. Sintz moved to authorize Chief McKee to extend the conditional offer to the third candidate; Mr. Terry seconded the motion and the Council voted unanimously in favor.

The council record notes that, if the third candidate fills a position tied to Detective Greenbaum’s anticipated 2026 retirement, the department likely will not need to hire an additional officer in 2026 unless another resignation or retirement occurs. Chief McKee also confirmed that any candidate who cannot begin in October would be eligible to start the April 2026 academy session without redoing pre-employment requirements.