Put-in-Bay posts police chief job

PUT-IN-BAY — A new face could soon be leading Put-in-Bay's police department. The island police department's been under a spotlight in the past for lack of training and leadership from its top cop, most recently in 2020 following several highly criticized arrests that led to the suspensions of several officers and the now-former police chief, Steve Riddle. The arrests also resulted in two pending lawsuits against the village and a federal civil rights investigation. The village posted a job listing for the chief job last week, according to Put-in-Bay Mayor Jessica Dress. Interim police Chief James Kimble, a former Wood County sheriff's deputy who's served as interim chief since June 2020, is among the candidates for the job. Interim Put-in-Bay police Chief James Kimble Register file photo The job listing seeks applicants with more than a decade of experience in law enforcement and offers an annual salary ranging between $49,000 and $72,000. Dress said several dozen people have sent in resumes. The village has, thus far, sent full job applications to six of those candidates. "This is a very serious decision that won't be taken lightly," Dress said. "It's critical to the success of the island moving forward." Dress said she wants to finish the application process and recommend a candidate to the village's council in March. Importance of leadership After two incidents involving village police, one in May 2020 and the other in June 2020, two lawsuits were filed alleging excessive force by Put-in-Bay officers. The May incident involved a woman who says she was thrown to the ground by a Put-in-Bay police officer. In June, officers arrested nine people, and used Tasers on several, in an altercation stemming from a traffic stop of an overloaded golf cart. Body camera footage of the incident also shows officers point firearms at the group and one made a threat to fire their weapon. Former Put-in-Bay police Chief Steve Riddle Register file photo/ERIN McLAUGHLIN Following the June incident, former chief Riddle was suspended with pay before eventually reaching a deal with the village in December to retire. As a part of that deal, the village agreed to pay Riddle $36,000 as a one-time independent contractor contract, along with $12,200 for unused sick leave and vacation time. Dress says the new police chief should be someone with a strong work ethic, who knows how to deescalate situations and someone who "leads by showing." "This may be the most important decision I make as mayor," she said. Kimble said he's enjoyed his time in Put-in-Bay and, if hired, would seek to increase officers' pay, provide more training and equipment for officers and promote more diversity within the police department. "I've enjoyed my time here so far," he said. "It's had its challenges, but I feel I've learned and grown from those and I'm looking forward to the future." Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify language used to describe former police chief Steve Riddle's departure from the department.