One of the highest ranking members of the Lima Police Department is leaving his post to take the top job in a Dayton suburb.
Major Chip Protsman will be leaving the LPD on Friday after officially being named the police chief of Kettering, Ohio. Protsman has been with the department for 20 years and currently leads the investigative services division. Protsman was chosen over 50 other candidates who applied for the position.
Kettering's current police chief is retiring on April first. Protsman says he is most proud of implementing Lima's pinpoint policing program in 2009. The program is credited with dramatically cutting crime rates by focusing on high crime areas.
Protsman says he will miss his co-workers and the community. Chief Kevin Martin says the replacement process will be overseen by the Lima Civil Service Board. The group will meet to discuss the staff changes on Thursday.
This move and other changes within the department mean there will be openings for a major, a lieutenant and two sergeants in the coming weeks. Administrative positions at the LPD are filled within the department.
