Earl Nelson is appointed police chief of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Deputy Chief Earl Nelson, a 19-year veteran of the Middletown Police Department, has been nominated to be the city’s new police chief, pending a formal vote by the City Council on Aug. 6.

Following a selection and interview process, Nelson was announced as the candidate today. This recommendation was one of the last official acts of City Manager Paul Lolli. He retires on Wednesday.

“The role of Chief of Police requires the highest level of professionalism and exemplary commitment to the office and the community, and Deputy Chief Nelson embodies both every day,” said Lolli. “Under Deputy Chief Nelson’s leadership, the Middletown Division of Police has the opportunity to continue to grow and become a department that this community respects and admires.”

“It is an honor to be selected for this position. I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement,” Nelson said. “I also want to thank everyone who participated in the selection process for the chief position. This was a difficult decision as all of the candidates are exceptional leaders. This police department and city have the most dedicated staff in the area and I can’t wait to get to work.”

If officially confirmed, Nelson will be the first black police chief in the city’s history and was the department’s first black sergeant when he was promoted in 2017.

Since December, the police division has had two acting police chiefs after then-Chief David Birk was placed on administrative leave and later signed a voluntary severance agreement. Deputy Chief Eric Crank was named acting chief until his retirement in April.

Deputy Chief Andy Warrick was appointed acting chief in April. After a civil service suitability review and evaluation, Lolli recommended that Lt. Malcolm Tipton and Sgt. Earl Nelson be promoted to deputy chiefs. Those promotions were approved by council in May.

Deputy Chiefs Tipton and Nelson, as well as Acting Chief Warrick, have all applied for the chief position.

Tipton joined the Middletown Division of Police in 2008, was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and lieutenant in 2022

Warrick has been with the Middletown Division of Police since September 2001, when he was a patrol officer. He was promoted to police sergeant in 2007 and lieutenant in 2017. In January 2018, Warrick was appointed deputy police chief.