Friday, April 21, 2000
Norwood promotes policeman to chief
BY Walt Schaefer
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NORWOOD — William Schlie will follow in his father's footsteps.
The veteran Norwood police officer became chief of the 48-man contingent Thursday after scoring highest of three candidates — all lieutenants — who took a civil-service exam.
The new chief's father, the late Harry Schlie, was Norwood police chief from 1969 to 1974.
“Police work is part of the family tradition and I'm proud to follow my father into the office he held,” said Chief Schlie, 53, a lifelong Norwood resident and member of the force for 32 years.
“My first goal is to boost the morale of the department. There have been a lot of difficulties and infighting and the relationship has been strained between the administration (of Mayor Joe Hochbein) and the police.
“I want to mend that rift and that would be done by creating a two-way street of cooperation between the administration and the department,” he said.
Chief Schlie replaces Sgt. John Murphy, who had served as acting chief since June. Sgt. Murphy, a 27-year veteran, has retired.
Timothy Brown, Norwood's last police chief, retired following charges against him stemming from a Dec. 5, 1998, accident in which he crashed his Jeep into a utility pole on his way home from a party.
The former chief announced he would retire in October in the wake of his September conviction on charges of falsification for filing a report saying the Jeep was stolen. The retirement became official in January when the city agreed to pay him nearly $130,000.
Capt. Tom Williams was named acting chief in June, after Chief Brown was placed on leave pending court hearings on the charges. Acting Chief Murphy replaced Capt. Williams, who was removed by the mayor.
Relations between Mr. Hochbein and the police became tense in October after the mayor signed a letter calling the community a “police state.”
Mr. Hochbein Thursday said: “We have an experienced officer, familiar with the police department, and our community as our new chief.
“I look forward to working with him in the next few months as the Norwood Police Department experiences a major change as they move into newly renovated facilities” across Maple Avenue from City Hall in the former PNC Bank branch office.
Safety Director Cliff Miller said the new chief will negotiate an employment package with the city. In the past, the job has paid about $67,000 a year, he said.
85 steps to spiritual well-being
Speedway seeks divorce from town
Charities object to rules on privacy
Poll finds support for stricter stance on guns
6 indicted in gun store break-ins
Berenstains aim anti-gun message to kids
Solving old cases causes shock, relief
Officer apologizes to Madisonville group
African-American health group sets up
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
School mourns teachers' deaths
'Son of Beast' to open April 28
Storm fells trees, power lines
GET TO IT
Rabbit Hash couple lead no-fear lives
Two former locals in NBC pilot
Butler Co. bus system expanding
Covington schools advised on improving
Deerfield employees petition to unionize
Driver had seizure in bank crash
Hamilton may ease rules on residency
Independence mayor fires police chief
Job as principal now in jeopardy
Lockland to redevelop paper mill site
Lucas seeks 2nd term
Norwood promotes policeman to chief
Powell named to judge's post
Silver Grove has ceremony for Columbine
Ten Commandments debate moves to court
Tennessee man may be $80M Powerball winner
TRISTATE DIGEST
Woman is link in kidnap of man
