Bay Village welcomes new police chief
Welcome to Bay Village’s newest Chief of Police, Kathleen Leasure!
Chief Leasure was sworn in on June 2, becoming the City of Bay Village’s eighth Chief of Police. Chief Leasure serves as the first female Chief of Police for the City of Bay Village and in the Westshore communities.
Chief Leasure brings over 24 years of experience with the Bay Village Police Department to the job. She began her career in 1996 as a patrol officer after attending the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. As a patrol officer, she served as a field training officer, evidence technician and was a member of the Bike Patrol Unit and Dive Rescue Team.
Kathy, along with another Bay Village officer, are responsible for starting Rape, Aggression, Defense Systems (RAD), a women's self-defense program.
In 2008, she was promoted to patrol sergeant and served in that capacity until being assigned as the detective sergeant in 2016. While serving as the detective sergeant, Chief Leasure oversaw all functions of the Detective Bureau, including the supervision or investigation of all criminal cases. She was also a member of the Westshore Crisis Negotiation Team for over four years.
Chief Leasure has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University. She is also a 2009 graduate of Supervisor, Training and Education Program and a 2011 graduate of Police Executive Leadership College. In 2018, she graduated from the Public Safety Leadership Academy, a 12-week, joint training program between the Ohio State Highway Patrol and The Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs.
Chief Leasure plans to work with the officers to develop ways to continue community interactions in the face of the pandemic. Future community offerings include hosting the popular Community Police Academy and women’s self-defense classes.
Additionally, Bay Village police officer Benjamin Kitchen has been assigned as the first school resource officer, and will be starting in the Bay Village Schools this fall.
As Chief of Police, Kathy and her fellow officers are committed to providing the highest level of police service to the citizens of Bay Village.
Chief Leasure can be reached at 440-871-3461, or by email at kleasure@cityofbayvillage.com.