CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Circleville Public Safety Director Rob Ware wants to begin a new chapter after months of scandal within the police department has come to an end.
This week, he announced the firings of former Deputy Chief Jon Farrelly and probationary Officer Jacob Ferguson.
Ferguson and Farrelly were the final officers remaining under investigation.
In March, police Chief Shawn Baer was placed on leave after facing allegations of misconduct. Then his replacement, acting Deputy Chief Doug Davis, was also placed on leave due to allegations of misconduct. Baer retired and Davis resigned, ending the investigations.
Ware was brought into the job in August to help rebuild the department.
“We are on the path to doing good things over there. The recent firings were cleaning up the previous challenges and unresolved issues,” he said.
In the last year, the city has had to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in payouts and investigations.
Last week, voters in Circleville said no to a levy that would have funded the police department. Ware believes the lack of public trust in the department is a big reason why.
“All the activities in the police department over the last two years have given the public a sense of doubt as to whether or not we deserve to get funding,” Ware said.
Earning the public’s trust back in the police department is a big task that Ware is ready to take on.
He said he hopes to do that by showing the community how he is building up his leadership team. He has confidence in Chief Kenny Fisher. He also plans to train leadership and young officers alike on city policy and hold them accountable for it.
“When they are successful, the community will recognize that, see how we are building up our image, they will see we are holding people accountable when they do wrong and that will instill trust,” Ware said.
Ware also plans to listen to feedback from community members, like Jacob Riggs. He was glad to hear the officers would be held accountable.
“Accountability is a big thing, especially for a little town,” Riggs said.
He believes police could earn trust by being more involved in the community.
“Cops in my neighborhood used to shoot basketball with us, ask us how our lives are, how we are doing, how's school,” Riggs said.
Ware is hoping that community members will offer feedback on where the department can improve. He is also using recommendations from a consultant to determine where improvements are needed.
Ware is not sure when a new levy could be placed on the ballot. He said the city is looking at other opportunities for funding and places to make cuts. He said regardless of the levy failure, the investment in training police officers will continue.