It is the first time since the departure of former police chief David Birk in December and his eventual retirement that the top command staff is filled. Nelson’s promotion to chief received council approval Aug. 6.
Last week, council approved the promotion of Ryan Morgan from sergeant to deputy chief, joining deputy chiefs Malcolm Tipton and Andy Warrick in those positions.
Per department policy, promotions from the chief down must be internal and are done through civil service testing and interview evaluations.
Morgan, 39, grew up in Dayton and is a graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. He went to Ohio State University on an academic scholarship studying criminology, but family obligations kept him close to home after his sophomore year. That’s when went to and graduated to the Sinclair Police Academy.
“But I still want to finish that four-year degree, even at almost 40,” Morgan said.
He has served in a number of roles in the department including field training officer, a member of the honor guard, bike patrol officer, SRT team commander and detective in addition to K9 handler with his now police dog partner, Chase.
Morgan is also a firearms instructor, less lethal munitions instructor, subject control instructor and active threat response instructor.
During last month’s rally of vice president nominee J.D. Vance in Middletown, Morgan oversaw the security detail at the high school and assisted the Secret Service with security for President Trump during a rally in Lebanon 2018.
“He is a really great police officer,” Nelson said at last week’s council meeting. “He has worked almost every position you can at the Middletown police department and has been successful at every position.”
Morgan has two children and still lives in the Dayton area.
He said it will take some adjustment to becoming an administrator.
“I am always busy in the job. I am still busy, but it is just different. It is a new challenge. I like that,” Morgan said, but added don’t be surprised if he steps back out on the street for a more active role when he can.
Nelson said while recruiting is can be challenging, the department has a good team and recently tested 40 applicants for patrol officers, with 20 passing. The list will be used to fill patrol positions as officers are promoted to the four open sergeant positions and two lieutenant positions
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