South Bloomfield police interim chief outlines training, staffing and grants; officer sworn in

At the Oct. 7 Village of South Bloomfield council meeting, Police Sgt. Michael Maynard read a prepared statement accepting interim responsibility for the department after Chief McCoy's retirement and outlined his goals. Maynard reviewed monthly department statistics, said an OLEG audit is scheduled for Oct. 10 to check compliance with state policy updates, and said he has applied for two additional grants alongside an existing OCJS grant.

Maynard commended Officer James Ford for following department policy when Ford terminated a pursuit on U.S. 23 in the interest of public safety. "He terminated the pursuit in the interest of public safety and followed department policy," Maynard said, praising the decision to end the chase when necessary.

Mayor Aaron Thomas told council most officers supported Maynard as interim leader. Council discussed Sgt. Wells' planned retirement at the end of the year and the budgeting implications; Fiscal Officer Alisha (Surke) told council "there is enough in the general fund to appropriate the needed money for the cashouts this year and it will lower our expected expenditures next year so it should even out." Maynard said he has adjusted staffing schedules and expects to maintain minimum service hours with five full-time officers while recruiting and evaluating future staffing needs.

Why it matters: interim leadership and retirements can affect scheduling, training budgets and overtime expenses. The scheduled OLEG audit and grant applications could influence department capacity and funding.

What happens next: the council will consider staffing needs later in the year as retirements and payout timing become clearer; Sgt. Maynard and the fiscal officer will monitor budget effects and grant opportunities.