ASHLAND — Ashland has a new Chief of Police.
Captain David Lay will be promoted to the position, according to a Friday announcement by mayor Matt Miller. Lay will be sworn in as chief of police at 3 p.m. on June 21 in the City Council Chambers, according to a press release from Miller sent to Ashland Source.
Lay is a resident of Ashland and has been part of the Ashland Police Division since 1993. He will be replacing chief David Marcelli, who is retiring from the position after 11 years.
Lay has had several leadership positions, including Special Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, and he was appointed captain, the second highest position in the division, in 2010.
“Chief Lay brings to this important position more than 28 years of experience in local law enforcement and he has proven his commitment to the safety and protection of the people of our city,” Miller wrote. “Over the years, as he rose through the ranks at the APD, Capt. Lay has earned the respect of his colleagues in our local criminal justice system.
“And, after working with him over the past several years, I believe that he can take our already highly-skilled and professional police department to a whole new level.”
The Civil Service Commission decided June 9 that seniority within the Ashland Police Department would play a role in determining who its next chief would be.
The decision came after former top candidates for the position — Chad Enderby and Jerry Bloodhart — filed appeals. Enderby, who did not work for the Ashland Police Department, argued seniority should not be a factor, and Bloodhart, who works for Ashland PD, argued seniority should count.
Lay’s priorities will be reviewing and evaluating existing policies and procedures, and ensuring officers have adequate training, Miller wrote.
Miller has also tasked Lay with improving communication at the department, both internally with officers and staff, and externally with the larger community.
Lay attended North Central State College and Ohio University, and he was selected to participate in the FBI National Academy in 2007.
