DAYTON, Ohio — The Dayton community came out Tuesday to celebrate Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl’s retirement after a law enforcement career that spanned more than 40 years.
What You Need To Know
- The Dayton community came together to celebrate Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl
- Biehl served more than 40 years in law enforcement and more than 13 years as chief
- Biehl officially retires Friday and the city is actively looking for his replacement
- Dayton Assistant Police Chief Matt Carper will become the interim chief
He spent nearly 25 years with the Cincinnati Police Department, and then joined the Dayton Police Department in 2008 and led it for the past 13 years.
“I just really tried every day to meet the demands of the day and they were always varied and extraordinary and we always try to do good work, said Biehl.
Meeting the demands was no easy task for Biehl. He said 2019 was the hardest year yet dealing with the tornado on Memorial Day and the mass shooting in the city’s Oregon District in August.
“That year stands out very poignantly for its extraordinary demands, for its tragic losses and it will always be that way for me,” Biehl said.
But it was how the community responded to the losses that he said made him proud.
“It showed how much this community cares about one another, how much this community came together in mourning and an open heart,” he said.
During his years as chief, Biehl has been recognized for his service and for bringing the community closer together, but he said his greatest joy being a chief has been seeing other people become successful.
“There’s such extraordinary leadership in the Dayton Police Department, such incredible commitment at all levels,” he said.
Now, as he embarks on his journey to retirement, he said he hopes that the community will continue to be unified.
“Now the question is who are we going to choose to be now, and how we’re going to move together as a collective,” he said.
After officially retiring Friday, he said he most looks forward to spending more time with his family.
“Quite honestly, this job takes away a lot from time with family, friends and loved ones and I would rather spend more time with them,” he said.
The City of Dayton is actively searching for the next police chief.
In the meantime, Assistant Police Chief Matt Carper will be the interim chief until the position is filled. City officials hope to fill the position by October.
