CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The city of Circleville is once again without a public safety director after Rob Ware abruptly resigned on Friday, marking the fourth such departure in recent years. In his resignation letter to Mayor Michelle Blanton, Ware cited the recent failure of a crucial public safety levy in November as a pivotal reason for his decision.
Ware, who was appointed in August, had been tasked with restoring public faith in a police department that has seen a tumultuous year. His departure comes after a series of controversies, including the resignations of Police Chief Shawn Baer and Deputy Chief Doug Davis amid allegations of misconduct, and the termination of two other officers.
“The city has endured a lot of challenges in the months since my arrival. I feel as if we have made tremendous progress in turning things around. There remain further significant challenges ahead with the defeat of the safety levy, in particular,” Ware wrote in his letter to the mayor.
Circleville has cycled through four different police chiefs in the last year alone, highlighting the instability within the department. The issues came to a head last year when former officer Ryan Speakman unleashed a police K-9 on Jadarrius Rose, an unarmed Black truck driver, during a traffic stop. The incident, which gained national attention, was first reported by the Scioto Valley Guardian, leading to significant public outcry and scrutiny over police practices.
Speakman was initially fired for his actions but later allowed to resign after contesting his dismissal through the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association. He received a $40,000 settlement from the city, and the city also settled with Rose for $225,000.
In an interview with 10TV news in Columbus shortly after his appointment, Ware expressed optimism about reforming the department:
“My goal is to have an organization that is one of the best in the state and one the public has trust in,” he had said.
However, Ware was not the first to attempt this turnaround. Earlier this year, Mayor Blanton appointed Steve Wilkinson as safety director in March, only to dismiss him days later, further illustrating the rapid turnover in leadership.
Speaking on Ware’s resignation, Mayor Blanton expressed surprise:
“I think anyone who leaves a position leaves some level of gap or relationships he did build will be felt,” she said. “I think he brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position which is why I offered him the position in the first place, but I hope myself and the chief will be able to step into those gaps as well and take some of the things that he taught us and move forward with the city of Circleville.”
The failure of the safety levy has forced budget cuts, and Blanton has decided not to immediately replace Ware. Instead, she emphasized her commitment to transparency and accountability:
“We want to make accountability to the community a priority. We are planning to work with the police department to provide quarterly updates to the city council on how we are reaching our goals,” Blanton stated.
This latest resignation adds another layer of challenge for Circleville as it continues to seek stability and trust in its public safety sector.