NEW HOLLAND, Ohio — A controversial figure who has taken back his old job will be paid an annual salary.
New Holland Police Chief Jason Lawless, who was hired last week as the town’s top cop — for the second time — will make approximately $50,000 a year in the job.
Lawless previously held the job from 2016 to 2018 in a volunteer capacity, but had his income offset as he wore a second hat as the town’s village administrator making more than $70,000 a year. He left the posts in 2018 after several rounds of scandals, including criminal charges and a jury trial, along with a lawsuit by journalist Derek Myers.
After Lawless left, the town saw four police chiefs: David Conrad, Chris Mosley, Alex Chuuom, and April Kistler. All of those positions were volunteer, however, as of this month, the police chief’s position will be full-time, according to public records.
Ordinances obtained by the Guardian show that the town’s council voted to hire Lawless as chief with a full-time salary of $44,000 a year, plus $6,000 in health bonuses.
According to the paperwork, the position was passed as an emergency for the “safety and health” of citizens and was effective immediately on July 15.
The ordinance also waived the requirement that Lawless live in the village limits, as required by state law.
