Saturday, May 01, 1999

Florence officers apply for chief

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BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FLORENCE — The city's new police chief will likely be a familiar face.

        When the application deadline passed Friday, eight Florence police officers had thrown their names into the ring.

        Florence Mayor Diane Ewing Whalen said city council members will likely decide who will get the job before the beginning of the next fiscal year in July.

        A committee formed in March to find a chief recommended the city focus on internal candidates.

        “We've said all along that we have competent, qualified, experienced people who work here,” the mayor said.

        “I feel confident that we will be able to find a leader for our department from within, from that group of people.”

        The candidates are:

        • Lt. Tim Chesser, who has been with the department since 1985.

        • Sgt. John Davis, who has been with the department since 1990.

        • Lt. Col. Tom Kathman, who came to the department in 1981 as assistant police chief. He served with the Cincinnati Police Division from 1965 to 1981.

        • Patrolman 1st Class Wayne Staggs, who has been with the department since 1976.

        • Sgt. Tom Szurlinski, who has been with the department since 1985.

        • Sgt. Bruce Graham, who has been with the department since 1978.

        • Lt. Tom Dusing, who has been with the department since 1979.

        • Sgt. Don Baker, who was with the department from 1980 to 1987 and then came back in 1988.

        Florence has been without a police chief since late February, when Paul Buelterman resigned under pressure from the city. The mayor asked for his resignation during her first week of office in January, and Mr. Buelterman refused.

        Officers complained of low morale and that Mr. Buelterman did not listen to his subordinates.

        The city was bringing charges to force him out when a deal was struck. Mr. Buelterman, who is now the city's liaison to the new county dispatch center, will hold that position for 18 months until he is eligible for his pension and then will leave.

        Council member Melodee Merrell, on the committee that will interview candidates, said the police department went through a tough time when the city was fighting with Mr. Buelterman.

        “I think it's time we get our department back to normal,” she said. “They've gone through a lot.”

       

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