HILLIARD, Ohio — The city of Hilliard has named four finalists who are vying to eventually become the division’s next police chief.
The four finalists are:
- Mike Woods, former interim chief of the Columbus Police
- Jennifer Knight, deputy chief of the Columbus Police
- Ronald Clark, Hilliard police lieutenant
- Robert Chabali, Fairfield Township police chief
Hilliard Chief Robert Fisher retired May 21. He was replaced by Deputy Chief Eric Grile, who was promoted to chief after Fisher’s last day. But because Grile is also approaching retirement, officials are searching for a deputy chief with the intent of that individual being promoted to the chief when Grile retires.
Grile has served Hilliard police since 2016. He was previously employed with the city of Beavercreek where he was the captain of the Investigations Division.
Interviews with the four candidates will be conducted July 21 and 22, according to Anna Subler, a spokeswoman for the city of Hilliard.
Novak Consulting is assisting the city with the hiring process, Subler said.
However, she said city officials do not have an exact date when the new deputy chief will be named.
Woods, who is one of the four candidates vying to eventually take the helm of Hilliard police, served as the interim Columbus police chief after Chief Thomas Quinlan agreed to resign in January.
Woods officially retired from the Columbus police Friday, April 23, but remained on staff as the interim chief on a supplemental contract as Columbus officials searched for a new chief. Ginther named Elaine Bryant as the new Columbus police chief in June.
