Gary Lewis named Bexley police chief, to start Sept. 1
Gary Lewis has been selected as Bexley’s new police chief.
City Council members and Mayor Ben Kessler announced the hiring July 21 at Bexley City Hall.
Lewis is the University of Louisville’s chief of police. He said his plans include meeting regularly with community members.
“I think it’s going to be key. A lot of the success I’ve had is being a good listener,” Lewis said. “I’m willing to listen, to hear those suggestions and ideas. I’ve got some ideas, and I want to pitch them to (the community), get your feedback.”
Lewis replaces Larry Rinehart, who retired in January after 14 years.
To assist in the search, the city hired executive search firm Ralph Anderson and Associates, based in Rocklin, Calif., and Gayle Sanders, a Columbus-based communications consultant.
Kessler said Lewis was selected based on feedback that the city received from residents about priorities for the chief, including ensuring safety throughout the city, planning emergency response strategies and identifying and mitigating risks; the ability to communicate effectively with police officers and community members and respond to their concerns; and emphasizing equity in police/community relations and addressing concerns of Black parents that their children may be singled out and profiled by law enforcement.
“We set out in search of a police chief who believed in and modeled equity in policing, a chief who would lead with compassion and kindness … who values outcome above penalty,” Kessler said. “Chief Lewis has modeled these principles throughout his career.”
Before joining the University of Louisville in August 2018, Lewis served as Cleveland State University’s chief of police and as a lieutenant commander with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Upon retiring after 21 years with OSHP, Lewis served as the senior director of media relations for Ohio State University.
Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety management from Franklin University and a master’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration from Michigan State University. He also completed Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Leadership program, with a focus on crisis leadership in higher education.
The city posted the chief position in April. Throughout the spring, the city held several meetings and conducted surveys with community leaders and residents to gather feedback, said Sam Marcellino, chair of council’s safety committee.
“During this time, while applications were being accepted through May 27 of this year, an interview committee was formed,” Marcellino said. “They reviewed the resumes of more than 20 highly qualified applicants and selected seven exceptional candidates from that pool. From there, the interview committee landed on the final four that we feel met the needs of our community and fit the profile of the chief for the city of Bexley.”
Kessler said the interview committee included Marcellino and council members Troy Markham and Monique Lampke; Tiffany Hunt, chair of the city’s Citizen Review Board; Lee Nathans of the Bexley Citizens Police Academy and Alumni Association; and members of the city’s civil service commission.
On July 6, the city held a townhall meeting at Bexley High School with Lewis and the three other finalists from the pool of 21 applicants: Ken Gough, a 24-year veteran of the Bexley Police Department who has served as interim chief; Victor McDowell, deputy chief of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s police department; and Wendy Stiver, former Dayton Police Department chief of staff who is a consultant with various organizations on police reform.
Kessler said Lewis is scheduled to officially assume the role Sept. 1 after council votes to confirm his appointment and added the terms of Lewis' contract still are being negotiated.
Immediately following the announcement, council held a special meeting and discussed the first reading of Lewis’ appointment. No dates have been set for second and third readings and public haring.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Gary Lewis named Bexley police chief, to start Sept. 1
