5 Critical Facts About The Colerain Police Department Ohio: Staffing Crisis, 2025 Levy, And Elite Accreditation
The Colerain Police Department (CPD), serving the second-largest township in Ohio, is currently at a critical juncture in its history, balancing elite national recognition with significant operational challenges. As of December 19, 2025, the department is actively advocating for a crucial 2025 Police Levy to address severe staffing shortages, even as it celebrates receiving the prestigious FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award in 2024. This unique blend of high-level professional development and frontline resource strain defines the current state of law enforcement in Colerain Township.
The department's commitment to community-centric policing, under the leadership of Chief Edwin C. Cordie III, remains paramount, but the need for increased funding is urgent. The outcome of the upcoming levy will directly impact patrol and investigative services, response times, and the department's ability to maintain the low crime rates seen compared to previous decades. Understanding the CPD means looking at its international accreditation, its community programs, and the vital funding decisions facing Hamilton County voters.
Chief Edwin C. Cordie III: A Profile in Leadership
The Colerain Police Department is led by Chief Edwin C. Cordie III, a dedicated law enforcement professional who has risen through the ranks of the department he now commands. His leadership is characterized by a strong emphasis on professional development, community engagement, and legislative advocacy.
Biography and Career Highlights
- Current Role: Chief of Police, Colerain Township Police Department.
- Department Tenure: Chief Cordie's career with the Colerain Police Department began when he was hired as an officer in 2008.
- Ascension: Prior to becoming Chief, he served in various key roles, including as a Patrol Commander, overseeing the largest and most visible section of the Colerain Township Police Department.
- Accreditation Focus: Under his command, the CPD has maintained its status as an internationally accredited law enforcement agency, a testament to its adherence to best practices. The department is a proud recipient of several CALEA accreditations.
- Legislative Advocacy: Chief Cordie is an active proponent for law enforcement policy, having provided testimony, such as for House Bill 167, as a representative of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.
- Recent Challenges: His tenure is currently focused on navigating the department's critical staffing crisis and advocating for the 2025 Police Levy to secure the necessary resources for 24/7 patrol and investigative service.
The 2025 Police Levy (Issue 23): Securing Colerain's Future
The most pressing issue facing the Colerain Police Department and the Colerain Township community is the proposed 2025 Police Levy, known as Issue 23. This measure is considered vital for the maintenance and improvement of safety services in the township, which is the second-largest in the State of Ohio.
Critical Details of the Levy
The department has been transparent about its struggles with staffing levels, which Chief Cordie and Township Administrator Jeff Weckbach discussed at a town hall meeting in June 2025. While crime is down from peak levels between 2003 and 2013, the department has fewer officers to respond to calls for service, leading to concerns about diminishing response times.
- The Proposal: Issue 23 is a proposed 2.9 millage levy.
- The Purpose: The primary goal is to provide the necessary funding to maintain current staffing and operations, and crucially, to boost staffing levels to improve response times and officer availability.
- The Date: The levy will appear on the ballot for the November 4, 2025, General Election.
- The Impact: Passage of the levy is expected to generate millions in funding, which will be directly invested into the Colerain Police Department to ensure the community continues to receive high-quality, 24/7 police service.
Accreditation and Excellence: Elite Recognition in 2024
Despite the operational challenges related to funding and staffing, the Colerain Police Department continues to demonstrate a world-class commitment to professional standards and leadership development. The department holds a status that few law enforcement agencies in the nation achieve.
The FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award
In 2024, the Colerain Police Department received the prestigious FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award. This honor is not merely a plaque; it represents a profound, sustained commitment to leadership excellence across the entire command structure. Only 164 agencies were awarded this distinction in 2024, placing the CPD in an elite category of law enforcement organizations.
- The Requirement: To earn the Agency Trilogy Award, an agency’s *entire Command Staff* must successfully complete the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Leadership series.
- The Trilogy Series: This comprehensive professional development curriculum includes three distinct institutes: the Supervisor Leadership Institute, the Command Leadership Institute, and the Executive Leadership Institute.
- The Significance: Receiving this award demonstrates that the leadership of the Colerain Police Department is dedicated to continuous learning, modern policing strategies, and professional integrity, ensuring that officers are led by the most highly trained executives in the field.
International Accreditation (CALEA)
The department is also internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This voluntary process requires the department to meet hundreds of rigorous standards related to policy, procedures, management, operations, and support services. Maintaining CALEA accreditation is a key indicator of the department's commitment to accountability and best practices in law enforcement.
Community-Centric Policing: Key Programs and Initiatives
The Colerain Police Department understands that effective policing is a partnership between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. To foster this relationship and increase topical authority in community safety, the CPD stresses having numerous community programs aimed at crime prevention, education, and public engagement.
These initiatives help to build trust and provide residents of Colerain Township with the tools and knowledge to enhance their personal safety and security.
Engagement and Safety Programs
- Citizens Police Academy: This program offers residents an in-depth, hands-on overview of the Police Department’s operations, including the hiring process, laws of arrest, search and seizure, and a practical use of force exercise. It often includes a popular ride-along with officers.
- Block Watch Program (Neighborhood Watch): Organized to enable the police and the community to work together, the goal is simple: to make each home and street safer. This program is a cornerstone of neighborhood safety and crime prevention.
- Quick Response Team (QRT): A vital post-overdose response program that partners the Colerain Police Department with the Colerain Department of Fire and EMS and addiction services. This multi-disciplinary approach addresses the opioid crisis by providing immediate follow-up and resources to those who have experienced an overdose.
- Specialized Units: The department operates specialized units that enhance its service delivery, including a dedicated Bike Team, which provides patrol in areas less accessible by car, and an Honor Guard, representing the department at official and ceremonial functions.
Addressing Public Safety Concerns and Crime Statistics
Colerain Township, located in Hamilton County, is a large and diverse community. The police department is responsible for managing a complex range of public safety issues. While specific criminal incidents, such as the widely reported Kroger shooting incident where officers were cleared by the prosecutor's office, draw significant attention, the overall crime trends show a positive trajectory.
According to available data, the crime rate in Colerain is significantly lower than national averages in several key categories, and overall crime is lower than the township's own historical levels from 2003 and 2013. The focus on community engagement and the high standards of training, evidenced by the FBI-LEEDA award, are key factors in maintaining this level of public safety.
The Colerain Police Department continues its mission to provide a safe and secure environment for all residents. The dedication of its officers, the elite training of its command staff, and its internationally accredited status position the CPD as a leader in Ohio law enforcement. However, the successful passage of the 2.9 millage Issue 23 levy in the November 2025 General Election is critical to ensure that the department can overcome its current staffing challenges and continue to deliver the quality safety services the community deserves.
Detail Author:
- Name : Dr. Junius Conroy
- Username : terry.terrill
- Email : bryce76@kuphal.com
- Birthdate : 1973-06-28
- Address : 732 Douglas Manors East Dolores, NM 17121-0994
- Phone : (469) 490-4933
- Company : Miller-Lebsack
- Job : Retail Sales person
- Bio : Rerum qui enim aliquam ut error eum explicabo. Esse voluptas est maiores aspernatur.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@cristopher.kuhn
- username : cristopher.kuhn
- bio : Totam ut optio ea dicta. Sint consequatur officia quibusdam a rerum.
- followers : 5315
- following : 420
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/ckuhn
- username : ckuhn
- bio : Enim odit cum vitae officiis voluptas. Autem magnam quo veritatis tenetur doloremque nulla delectus. Et quae temporibus corrupti expedita.
- followers : 6926
- following : 358
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/cristopher5945
- username : cristopher5945
- bio : Sed quibusdam corrupti harum sequi est ut eius. Autem suscipit magni non.
- followers : 1807
- following : 903
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/cristopher_dev
- username : cristopher_dev
- bio : Et repellat pariatur aut est nostrum. Rem est ut voluptatum soluta libero voluptatem odio.
- followers : 2010
- following : 455
