Bethel residents react to police chief placed on administrative leave

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:00]No warnings, no nothing.

[00:00:02]>> There's more questions than answers in the village of Bethl.

[00:00:05]>> Other than just being shocked, you know, it's like it come out of the blue.

[00:00:09]>> Don Hazes, lives just across the street from the police station. She's one of many neighbors who've just found out their police chief, Chad Esser, was put on administrative leave.

[00:00:16]>> Makes you a little on edge.

[00:00:18]>> Now she's wondering what the future will look like for local law enforcement.

[00:00:21]>> What's this going to do for our town and the protection we get from them? Essert was notified of his leave last Friday in this memo signed by both the chief and Bethl Mayor Jay Noble. The village solicitor says the Claremont County Sheriff's Office is investigating. I spoke with other Bethl residents who did not want to go on camera. Some shared good interactions they've had with Chief Essert. Many said they just want to know exactly what led up to this. Details on why Essert is on leave have not been released. Back in 2023, a WCPO9 IT team investigation revealed Essert was fired or forced to resign from three of his past six policing jobs. Personnel records included allegations of misconduct as a police officer, even sexual harassment.

[00:00:59]>> This is Sam Harris from WCPO9 News.

[00:01:02]Thursday, I reached out to Bethl's mayor and multiple members of the village council by phone and email >> regarding the placement of Chief Chad Essert on administrative leave.

[00:01:10]>> I'm still waiting to hear back. Council members will gather Thursday night for their regularly scheduled meeting.

[00:01:14]>> Just find out, you know, the reason behind it, you know, as far as leaving it hanging in the air. Residents like Hazlet are hoping for answers as soon as possible.

[00:01:24]>> A lot of people going to be asking questions.

[00:01:26]>> Wednesday evening, I requested documents from the Claremont County Sheriff's Office regarding the investigation into Essert. As of Thursday evening, that request is still pending as the investigation continues. Reporting in Bethl, Sam Harris, WCPO9 News.