BETHEL, Ohio — The Village of Bethel is searching for its next police chief, according to a job posting shared by the village, opening a leadership search that follows the felony indictment of the department’s most recent chief.
The village said it is seeking “an experienced law enforcement professional” to lead the department, with a starting salary of $70,000 to $80,000 a year plus a benefits package. Candidates must hold the rank of sergeant or above for at least four years, have a minimum of eight years of responsible police management experience, and hold current Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certification at the time of application, the village said. The village is also looking for demonstrated experience in leadership, communication, management, budgeting and community relations.
Applicants are asked to submit letters of interest and resumes to Holly Isaacs at 513-427-9119 or [email protected], according to the posting. The Village of Bethel described itself as an equal opportunity employer.
The opening comes about six weeks after a Clermont County grand jury indicted Chad Essert, 44, of Blanchester, who served as Bethel’s police chief, on 70 felony counts, including 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, all third-degree felonies, according to the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor’s office said the charges stem from conduct alleged to have occurred between 2005 and 2010 at locations in Clermont and Hamilton counties, while Essert worked as an instructor with the Young Marines and as a teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville. If convicted on all counts, Essert faces a maximum sentence of 280 years in prison, the prosecutor’s office said.
“This investigation is a perfect example of how victims are protected and served regardless of the name or title of the perpetrator,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Essert was taken into custody June 11 in Pinellas County, Florida, and was extradited to Clermont County on June 18, according to the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. He was arraigned June 22 in Clermont County Common Pleas Court before Judge Victor Haddad.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Village of Bethel, the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office and the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.