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Council sends police retention report to Public Health & Safety Committee after leadership concerns
Summary
Council discussed a third-party report on police retention and leadership and voted unanimously to refer the matter to the Public Health & Safety Committee for follow-up; the study cost $26,000 and initial administrative steps were described.
Council members debated a third-party study on police-department retention and leadership during the Nov. 18 meeting. President of Council Kevin Mattscheck said leadership was a recurring theme in the 30-page report and urged follow-up.
"It is 30 pages long and I keep coming back to the same thing: leadership, leadership, leadership," Mattscheck said. Council member Katie Eadicicco moved to refer the report to the Public Health & Safety Committee for review and to request action items from the administration; the motion passed by voice vote, 7-0.
Mayor Bo Bemmes said the Civil Service Commission carried out promotions under Ohio Revised Code rules and that the commission retained the Ohio Police Association to administer the examination that led to Chief Edens's promotion. When asked about the study's cost, the mayor said it was $26,000. The mayor also reported that, as initial administrative steps, the department has held two lieutenant meetings and that two officers have agreed to take courses.
Council members voiced different perspectives: some urged immediate in-person engagement with officers about concerns; others emphasized giving new leaders time to lead. The referral directs the Public Health & Safety Committee to review the report and work with administration on recommended next steps; the minutes record the referral but do not list a date for the committee's report back to full council.
