Madison Township officials didn't have to go far to find a new police chief.
Gary York, who retired Jan. 24 from the Groveport Police Department, will start his new job with the township Feb. 1. He succeeds Ken Braden, who retired Jan. 3.
Detective Nate Schiffel is serving as Madison Township's interim police chief.
"I've always been community-oriented and I like working with people," York said. "I think there is a need for that with Madison Township. I want to be able to reconnect with the citizens. I want to reconnect with the businesses and with the schools. We've got to all work together."
York, a graduate of Groveport Madison High School, has served Groveport as a police officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and chief for more than 30 years. Township administrator Susan Brobst said he will be paid an annual base salary of $87,101 plus benefits worth $23,000.
"We wanted somebody that knew our department but wasn't inside the department because we needed a fresh look," trustee John Pritchard said.
Braden was hired after former chief Greg Ryan resigned in June 2013 following a nearly six-month internal investigation into complaints made by two police officers.
"This is going to bring the professional type of oversight that our police force needs right now," trustee chairman John Kershner said.
York's contract includes a one-year probationary period with the option for an additional two-year agreement. Trustees did not interview any other candidates. Search fees likely would have cost the township more than $10,000, according to Kershner.
"We became aware that Gary was available, and in our opinion, such a great find and highly qualified," he said. "We know him and he knows us ... and I'm very comfortable with that."
York earned a master's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.
He graduated from the FBI National Academy in December 2005, an accomplishment met by just 1 percent of police officers in the U.S., Pritchard said.
"The Groveport police chief (Ralph Portier) gave Gary very high recommendations and was very happy with him," Pritchard said. "It seemed like a very good fit. ... Sometimes you have opportunities that are put in front of you and you need to take advantage of those opportunities quickly."
Trustees also have begun the search for a new fire chief following the Jan. 13 retirement of Chief Robert Bates, who was hired in 2000. Battalion Chief Chris Pallos, a 40-year veteran with the department, is serving as interim chief.
Trustees have no timeline for hiring a new fire chief.
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