Ross Twp. names area police veteran as new top cop

Ross Twp. police cruiser. Ross Twp

Credit: Daniel P Horgan Sr.

Credit: Daniel P Horgan Sr.

Ross Twp. police cruiser. Ross Twp

A veteran of a Cincinnati area police force has been named the new Ross Twp. police chief, trustees announced this week.

Following a three-month search, Robert Gerhardt, a captain with the Blue Ash Police Department, was selected chief replacing Burton Roberts, who resigned and moved to Arizona.

Gerhardt has more than 26 years in police service joining the Blue Ash department in 2002, according to that department’s website. He will will lead the township department of seven full-time and two part-time officers.

Robert Gerhardt. ROSS TWP. ADMINISTRATION

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The annual salary for the new police chief will be $84,000 with a $5,000 increase at the successful completion of the six-month probationary period, and an additional $5,000 increase upon a favorable review at the successful completion of 12 months, according to Laurie Kile, township administrator.

Gerhardt is scheduled to be sworn in as chief at the Thursday township meeting.

Kile said 14 “highly qualified law enforcement professionals that applied for the position. Residents will be pleased to know that all of the men and women that applied, have stellar backgrounds and are held in high regard among their colleagues and piers. Their experience levels were of the highest rank and tenure and we are thankful for each and everyone that applied to lead the Ross Township Police department. Each candidate, in his or her own way, would have been an outstanding choice.”

Our new chief has one goal in mind and that is to lead this department with ethics and transparency,” she added.

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