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CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The Pickaway County Sheriff stormed the Circleville Police Department on Monday and physically removed the town’s police chief from the chief’s office.
While public details are scarce due to an ongoing investigation, the Guardian has confirmed that Sheriff Matthew Hafey was requested to the city’s offices to remove police chief Gary Shawn Baer.
Hafey was requested by Mayor Michelle Blanton, who took office in January. Blanton has always been a police proponent while previously serving on city council before assuming the role as mayor this year.
The Sheriff, himself personally responded and removed Baer from his city office, while stripping him of his badge and firearm, at the mayor’s request. Baer was given a Sheriff escort to the chief’s personal residence, where additional city equipment, including firearms, a radio, and cell phone were seized.
The Guardian has confirmed that Baer is on “administrative leave” but the reasoning for the leave was not publicly divulged by the city. The Sheriff’s office confirmed their presence was solely at the request of the mayor for removal of the chief and was not part of a criminal investigation by the Sheriff’s office.
A message was left with Blanton seeking comment and clarity for this story.
Doug Davis, the city’s deputy chief has assumed the duties as interim-police chief.
The police department recently made international headlines for a controversial K-9 bite that led to a six figure settlement.