Meet Westerville Division of Police Assistant Chief Brian Spoon

Brian Spoon, Assistant Chief of Police

Brian Spoon thought that he wanted to be an attorney when he enrolled at the University of Dayton, mostly because he appreciated the detail involved in law and order. Twenty years later, that attention to detail and commitment to public safety has earned him the title of Assistant Chief in the Westerville Division of Police (WPD).

WPD recently added Spoon to its command staff, promoting him from Lieutenant. He has served in most officer and supervisory roles at WPD, most recently as lead of the Professional Standards Bureau, working closely on the campaign for WPD to receive its first-ever national accreditation last year (see police.westerville.org/publictrust).

Chief Spoon oversees two internal sections in his new role: Professional Standards and Community Services. In addition to policy formulation, internal affairs, facilitating the national accreditation process and directing training, he helps manage the School Resource Officer (SRO) program and community events.

“Brian has devoted nearly his entire career to the people of Westerville,” said Chief of Police Charles Chandler. “He focuses on how law enforcement partners with its community and is committed to strengthening those relationships. He also keeps pace with technology in law enforcement, and has spearheaded many of our initiatives like the recent integration of Coplogic mobile reporting.”

Chief Spoon holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Dayton. He is a former adjunct instructor at Ohio University and currently instructs at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. He lives in Mt. Gilead with his wife and two sons ages 16 and 13.

WHY WESTERVILLE?

I was lucky to get into a small police department as a non-sworn member. That was the ticket you needed at that time to get into the Police Academy. So, I worked in Ontario, Ohio for four years, and then realized I wanted to do more than what was available there. I wanted a chance for a greater impact; to work for an agency with a greater diversity of operations, ideas and community. I was fortunate again to be chosen by WPD and came in with seven people hired at once in September 2002.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR NEW ROLE.

For one, the School Resource Officer program is a priority for me. I believe keeping kids safe is our utmost priority, so making sure our SROs are prepared, supported and well trained, and ensuring WPD continues to maintain good, productive relationships with the schools is important to me. I want to maintain the high standards we’ve already put into place with the SRO program and look for opportunities to grow. And the fun pieces are our community-directed programs like National Night Out and Cops and Kids Day. I want to be out and approachable and talk to people so they know us.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

There are a lot of things I want to do in this role. First of all, I recognize the community expects us to uphold the trust they place in us, and I believe very strongly in earning that trust. Communities like ours have banded together and created a common social contract: a force to protect and serve them. This partnership is the only way this works - if we’re not earning trust in this partnership we cannot be successful in doing what they ask of us. If we’re not listening and taking the opportunity to explore new ideas and ways to reach people, we fall behind on those expectations. I also believe in being just as committed to the men and women of WPD and earning their trust and respect. They are our first customers and it is important they feel safe, protected and supported.

Thank You, Retiring Chiefs

Assistant Chief Ron McMillin retired from WPD after 22 years of service in August. He had served in the Assistant Chief’s role for two years, and as Lieutenant for six years prior to that in all three sections (Patrol, Investigations and Community Services) of the agency.

Assistant Chief Steve Fridley was appointed to his position in 2021 after serving as Lieutenant. Following his retirement from the WPD after 33 years, he will return with the Reserve Unit later this year.

Ron McMillin, Retired Assistant Chief of Police

Steve Fridley, Retired Assistant Chief of Police