Office of the Chief of PoliceThe Chief of Police for the City of Lebanon, Ohio is more than a post for the chief executive of the Police Department. The Chief of Police provides direction and leadership in three critical and distinct areas for the City of Lebanon. The first and most obvious is the Police Department. As the chief executive for the Police Department, the Police Chief is not only charged with the proper deployment of police personnel to serve the needs of the community, but with meeting the needs of the police department personnel in the areas of equipment, training, support, discipline, and the creation of a safe and modern working environment.
The Chief of Police is also an integral member of the city’s overall management team. Within this capacity, the Police Chief works to ensure the Police Department is headed in a direction consistent with the goals and objectives of the City. The Chief of Police is the senior advisor to the city manager and other city government segments, on matters of law enforcement and public safety.
Finally, the Chief of Police is an important part of the community. As a member of the community, the Police Chief fosters and promotes a cooperative atmosphere amongst many different constituencies, serving as a resource and advocate for community and quality of life issues. The Chief of Police must engage in dialogue to identify and solve problems and issues that have the potential for impacting public safety. The Chief of Police must encourage an active involvement from the general public and the business communities.
Police Chief Jeffrey Mitchell
Chief Mitchell began his civilian law enforcement career with the Lebanon Division of Police in August 1998. Prior to joining the Lebanon Police Department, Chief Mitchell served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, 4 years as a Law Enforcement Specialist and 10 years as a Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). Upon leaving active duty he continued to serve as an AFOSI Special Agent in the active reserves, retiring after serving a total of 25 years.
Chief Mitchell progressed through the ranks of the police department; serving as a patrol officer for three years, a detective for almost a year, then promoted to the rank of Sergeant in his fourth year with the department. Chief Mitchell served as a Patrol Sergeant for six years before becoming the Detective Sergeant in May 2008. Chief Mitchell was selected for the position of Chief of Police in September 2011, and was sworn in as the City of Lebanon’s eighth Chief of Police in January 2012.
Chief Mitchell has earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management, and a Masters of Public Administration Degree from the University of Dayton. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the Ohio Law Enforcement Foundation’s Certified Law Enforcement Executive program. Chief Mitchell is an advocate for professional development and continuing education, supporting the need for lifelong learning throughout the department.