Village of Bethel Mayor Jay Noble released the following statement on June 15, after the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office announced a 70-count indictment of Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert.
“As Mayor, I was deeply disturbed to learn of the indictment and arrest of Chief Essert. The charges, in addition to the ongoing administrative investigation into Chief Essert’s behavior that was initiated following the Clermont County Sheriff Department’s investigation report, make it clear to me that Chief Essert should no longer lead the Bethel Police Department. I intend to initiate the statutory process to remove Chief Essert from employment with the Village of Bethel.
The Village of Bethel is a statutory Ohio village. As such, Bethel must, by law, follow all procedural requirements set forth in the Ohio Revised Code. This includes the process to remove a police chief, which is set forth in O.R.C.737.171.Under this process, if a village mayor believes that the police chief engaged in unacceptable behavior, the mayor shall file written charges against the police chief with the village council. Those charges are then heard at the next regular village council meeting occurring after the charges are served on the chief. The village council may vote to remove the police chief from office at the conclusion of the hearing. It is my intent to file such charges against Chief Essert with the Bethel Village Council, and for those charges to be heard as soon as legally possible.
This has been a very difficult time for our Village. It has caused a great deal of distress for our Village employees, especially the other members of our police department. While I understand the desire for swift action, we must strictly adhere to all applicable laws and ensure that the proper process is followed.’
Sincerely,
Jay Dee Noble II
Village of Bethel Mayor
Subscribe to The Clermont Sun today!
https://www.clermontsun.com/subscribe