Yellow Springs hires police chief after New Year’s controversy

Brian Carlson, who has served as the interim police chief in Yellow Springs since the former chief quit in January, has been hired to fill the position permanently.

EARLIER: Yellow Springs appoints interim police chief

Carlson has been with the department for about seven years and stepped in as the interim police chief when David Hale abruptly resigned following police actions on New Year’s Eve that drew criticism from the community. One officer resigned and another reached an agreement with the village that ended his employment in the aftermath of the incident and subsequent investigation.

MORE: Outside report critical of Yellow Springs police New Year’s response

Village council members approved Carlson’s hiring as chief on Monday night.

Carlson recently provided an update to village leaders on his department’s efforts to train officers on community relations. Officers attended a session led by a paid consultant who is a “bias recognition diversity specialist.”

EARLIER: Yellow Springs retains attorney to investigate New Year’s Eve police-citizen clash

Carlson noted that he liked the consultant’s message that “each individual encounter we have as officers is either a deposit or withdrawal into the bank of respect from the community we serve.”

The Yellow Springs Police Department is comprised of 10 full-time and four part-time sworn officers, plus eight civilian employees, according to the village.

MORE: Interim chief says he’ll attempt to regain community trust

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