CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The Guardian has awarded the November 2021 Sunshine Award this week.
The honoree is Circleville Police Chief Shawn Baer.
The “Sunshine Award” recognizes public officials and agencies for making important contributions in the area of open government.
“Even in times of sensitive stories or those that might not paint everyone involved in a good light, Chief Baer has been responsive to our requests for information,” said the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Derek Myers. “He always returns our requests in a timely manner and ensures the public is informed.”
The Guardian’s assistant editor, Jay Salley added that transparent leaders build strong teams.
“Authentic, transparent leaders encourage people to develop trust through their own honesty and vulnerability,” Salley added.
Chief Baer was presented with the award on Monday at the police department.
“Public records are pretty simple. There isn’t any record here that the public doesn’t own,” the chief said of his award. “I believe in the Sunshine Law and the reason behind it. To be transparent is to hold yourself accountable and always do the right thing.”
Baer added that the office’s records clerk, Jodi Chapman is a vital person in answering public record requests for the department.