Residents press trustees over police hiring records and alleged favoritism

Beth Roach and Steve Roach told trustees they remain unsatisfied with the Ross Township Police Departmenthiring transparency and alleged that the department failed to complete standard background checks and other pre-employment steps for certain recruits. Beth Roach said she filed a public-records request on May 1 that she believes has not been fulfilled in a reasonable time and asked whether the department had treated "friends and family" differently during hiring.

Beth Roach named a recruit, Chase Little, and detailed prior employment incidents she said warranted closer review; she said the township paid for attendance at the police academy for recruits who subsequently did not work for the township and questioned how that funding was handled. Steve Roach described a department culture that he said discourages dissent and said a department employee posted critical comments about them on social media. Both speakers offered documentary records and asked the board to ensure consistent hiring practices.

Trustees and administrators responded that the administrative assistant and legal counsel have been processing the records request, that redaction and legal review have delayed production, and that some responsive documents have been provided. Administrator Lori Cobb said legal counsel has been out of the office on a family emergency and asked for patience while the township completes its review and redaction. Trustees said they would check with legal counsel and promised to follow up.

What happens next: Trustees asked the Roaches to provide a specific list of outstanding records requests and said the township would consult its legal counsel and continue processing the requests; the board also suggested direct communication with the law director if necessary.