Circleville, OH – The city of Circleville is looking outside of the police department for the Chief Position, something that normally does not happen. Last month Circleville Mayor Blanton went in front of the Civil Service Committee and asked to invoke provisional emergency appointments to allow for external candidates.
Normally Circleville operates under Ohio Revised Code Title 7, wherein key administrative positions are elected or appointed. This includes the Police Chief, as outlined in Section 124.44, which mandates promotions from within for positions above patrol officer. Still, Mayor Blanton argued that there were, “extraordinary circumstances,” after the Chief and Deputy Chief were put on leave and then a deal was struck so they would leave. Also, the city has lost a lot of experience in the police department over the past few years leaving just a handful of veteran officers. Along with opening up to outside candidates, the Police Union and the mayor also asked to reduce the probation time for two sergeants at the police department so that they also can apply for the positions. In total three Sergeants at the police department can apply for the Chief or Deputy Chief position they are Acting Chief Kenny Fisher, Acting Deputy Chief Sergeants Jon Farrelly, and Eric Nicholson. The job description is below.
The City of Circleville is actively searching for a qualified individual to fill the full-time, salaried, and classified role of Chief of Police. This key position, which reports to the Director of Public Safety, involves leading the Circleville Police Department and shaping its policies and operations.
Job Overview: The Chief of Police will formulate and implement department policies, oversee operational activities, and provide strategic direction with the assistance of the Deputy Chief and Captain. The role offers an annual salary range of $68,048 to $81,657.
Residency Requirement: The successful candidate must become a resident of Circleville within 90 days of appointment. Non-compliance with this requirement will result in immediate removal from the position.
Selection Process: The selection process will be supported by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). Selected candidates will participate in an Assessment Center on the weekend of August 24-25, 2024, followed by interviews for finalists.
Application Requirements: Interested applicants must submit the following documents by email to Mallory Murphy, OACP Advisory Services Program Director, at [email protected], and cc [email protected] by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024:
- A cover letter explaining their interest in the position.
- A detailed resume highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
- Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s police work.
- A copy of their OPOTA certificate.
- An organizational chart from a current or previous employer demonstrating their qualifications.
Contact Information: For inquiries, applicants can contact Human Resources Director, Valerie Dilley, at [email protected] or 740-474-9601. A full job description is available upon request.
Qualifications:
- Preferably 10 years of experience with a municipal, township, or county law enforcement agency.
- At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory role such as Police Chief, Deputy Chief, Chief Deputy, or Sheriff.
- A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred.
- Completion of a senior police executive school is preferred (e.g., FBI Academy, SPI, Northwestern University’s Police Command and Staff School, OACP STEP PELC CLEE).
- Must be a U.S. citizen with a high school diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent.
- Must meet specific vision requirements and have a current peace officer certification from OPOTA.
- Must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of performing all job functions.
Essential Functions and General Tasks:
- Uphold professional integrity and moral principles.
- Ensure public safety and welfare.
- Operate emergency equipment under stress.
- Qualify in firearm use and provide credible testimony in legal proceedings.
- Interpret and enforce criminal codes, manage departmental staff, and plan strategic goals.
The City of Circleville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information about the application process and job requirements, visit the City of Circleville’s website.
