ASHLAND — Former Ashland Chief of Police David Lay officially passed the torch to new Chief Curt Dorsey on Friday.
Mayor Matt Miller swore in Dorsey, as is inscribed in the Ashland City Charter, in a packed room at the Ashland Municipal building.
“It has been an absolute joy to work with Chief Lay. And I could see every day, he was trying to be everything he could be, not just for the guys and the ladies, who work at the agency, but for this community,” Miller said.
“You will certainly be missed, there is no question.”
Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) presented Lay with a proclamation for more than four years of service as chief, and presented Dorsey with one as recognition for his new role.
Mayor Miller told the crowd he selected Dorsey because of his leadership skills, honesty, trustworthiness and respect for others.
“Someone who genuinely cares about others, whether they deserve that care and compassion or not, someone that will treat people impartially and fairly, in their good moments and in their not-so-good moments,” he said, “and someone who has the knowledge and experience to get the job done.”
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“We had four internal candidates. And the truth is, all four of those folks could do an outstanding job leading this police agency,” Miller said.
Dorsey thanked his family and the officers he has worked with over the years with tears in his eyes.
But he saved a special thank you for his “biggest mentor: Superman,” a nickname for his father, former Chief of the Greenwich Police Department Steve Dorsey.
“Those shoes, in my opinion, can’t be filled, but that will be my benchmark,” Chief Dorsey said.
“This badge carried me through triumphs and trials and now it’s yours to lead with the same heart and resolve. Remember, true leadership isn’t in the title, but in the lives you touch and the justice you uphold.”
Steve Dorsey
“This badge carried me through triumphs and trials and now it’s yours to lead with the same heart and resolve. Remember, true leadership isn’t in the title, but in the lives you touch and the justice you uphold,” Steve Dorsey told his son before pinning the badge on him.
Steve Dorsey also presented his son with his former badge, which he engraved on the back to read: “Chief Dorsey to Chief Dorsey.”
Curt Dorsey said he looked up to his father his entire life. The elder Dorsey inspired him to become a law enforcement officer, but he never expected to be chief.
“I wanted to be a detective. My dad was also Detective Dorsey, so when I became detective, that was huge for me,” he said.
Lieutenant Aaron Kline will take over Dorsey’s former role, which involves managing a squad of officers and five detectives.
He has already spent the week learning the ropes from Lay, and next week Chief Dorsey and Miller will meet to go over ideas, expectations and more.
Dorsey said his goal is to be more “aggressive” in community outreach, including more education and presence at events.