EATON — Steven Hurd was sworn in as the City of Eaton’s new Chief of Police during a council meeting on Monday, Feb. 19.
Hurd will be filling the position left vacant when former Chief Chad DePew resigned to pursue a position with the Kettering Health Network/Grandview Medical Center Police Department. Prior to Hurd being announced as chief, Sergeant Eric Beeghly had been serving as Interim-Chief.
Chief Hurd has a long history with Preble County and the City of Eaton. He was hired as a Corrections Officer in 1994 by the Preble County Sheriff’s Office. In 1997, he was hired by the Eaton Police Department as a Patrol Officer. He was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2012.
As a sergeant, he has attended all three Ohio Association Chief of Police Courses: Supervisor Training and Education Program, Police Executive Leadership College, and Certified Law Enforcement Executive. He also attended the Ohio State University Public Safety Leadership College.
According to Hurd, to apply for the position of Chief of Police he had to submit a cover letter, resume, and a four page essay. Following the application, an applicant assessment was held. The assessment had four stations: present a mock annual report to City Council, employee relations, citizen complaint, and a four-panel interview.
Mayor Gary Wagner swore Chief Hurd into his new position, followed by a pinning ceremony, during which Hurd’s wife pinned his new badge onto his chest.
Following the ceremony, Chief Hurd said, “I am honored and humbled to be chosen for this position. I know this wasn’t an easy decision, there were other great applicants in the running. I couldn’t ask to step into a better situation, Eaton is a wonderful city with great employees whose work ethic and teamwork are unmatched.
“The City of Eaton has given me so much and I will continue to do my part to give back. I am truly blessed to be a part of this organization, it is where I started my police career and it is where I will finish my police career. The Eaton Police Department and I will proudly serve each and every one.”
Hurd explained that in his role as chief he will be focusing on the dispatch merger with Preble County.
“The Eaton Police Division is going through a big change with merging into a county wide dispatch center. I am excited to work with the Preble County Sheriff’s office through this transition. We have a great working relationship and they are a great department. I am focused on making this transition seamless,” he said.
“I am honored and blessed to have been chosen for this position. The City of Eaton has great employees and incredible leaders. I couldn’t be stepping into a better situation. I have worked for the Eaton Police Department for 21 years. I know the employees very well and we have an outstanding team. We will continue to take pride in serving the citizens of Eaton.”
