Thompson Township trustees praised the choice of the new police chief

Jeremy Jesenovec has been named Thompson Township’s new police chief. (Courtesy of Jeremy Jesenovec)

It is hoped that anyone hired for the police chief position will have strong leadership experience, great interpersonal skills and a high level of integrity.

Because of these characteristics, we believe Thompson Township Trustees made a good decision in appointing Jeremy Jesenovec as the township’s new police chief.

Jesenovec was sworn in at the May 1 Thompson Township Board of Trustees meeting.

This is not a full-time position and he will hold the position a few days per week.

With 30 years of experience in law enforcement following five years in the United States Marine Corps, Jesenovec has a diverse and extensive history as someone who has dedicated his life to public safety.

Jesenovec began his law enforcement career with the Maple Heights Police Department in 1995 and is a retired lieutenant. He currently serves as director of public safety at the Cleveland Institute of Art and as a part-time police officer at the University Circle Police Department.

He is also an instructor at the Lakeland Community College Police Academy, a lieutenant and deputy commander of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol, and a board member of the Ohio Crime Prevention Association.

“Much of Thompson Township’s appeal comes from its small-town atmosphere and close-knit community,” Jesenovec told William Tilton of the News-Herald. “I have some close connections here – an old classmate from the police academy who retired as a sergeant from another agency and lives in Thompson, a long-time colleague from Maple Heights who is now an auxiliary officer here, and another good friend from the Time at the academy who is a retired lieutenant from elsewhere but prays in Thompson. They all had great things to say about the position and really encouraged me to pursue this position.”

“I have plans to engage with the community,” he added. “I’ll be meeting key people in the city, showing up at local events, finding out what our officers need to be successful here, and more.”

Jesenovec noted that the Thompson Police Department has faced significant leadership challenges and scrutiny in recent years, resulting in terminations, resignations and even criminal charges.

He wanted to assure the community and its stakeholders that integrity and professionalism are at the heart of his approach, and with a background check already completed by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and strong recommendations, he said he is fully prepared to maintain the highest standards of leadership the law enforcement authorities.

“I am committed to fostering a transparent and collaborative relationship with the community,” Jesenovec said. “My goal is to go beyond the traditional role of law enforcement leadership by being an approachable and engaging leader. Participating in city events, cultivating meaningful relationships and engaging with residents are key parts of my vision.

“I want to become not just a leader, but a trusted friend and ally to the community, promoting mutual respect and collective responsibility while ensuring the safety of Thompson and preserving its unique way of life.”

Jesenovec said the excitement is growing as they also prepare to move into a newly renovated police building, which is a much-needed upgrade to the former space.

The new leader added that one of his longer-term goals is to work toward the department receiving Ohio Collaborative certification.

“This is about ensuring we are on the cutting edge of setting policy for police departments in Ohio, covering various aspects of policing, such as: “Use of force, recruitment, community engagement and training of officers,” Jesenovec said.

“As of last year, 606 of 880 agencies in Ohio met these standards,” he added. “This is important to us too because it underscores our commitment to being a professional force the community can trust.”

In conclusion, The News-Herald believes Jesenovec has the potential to become an outstanding police chief in Thompson Township. We wish him good luck in his new position.