Pemberville's chief resigns after 11 days

7/20/2006

PEMBERVILLE, Ohio - After 11 days on the job, the Pemberville police chief has resigned.

Jeff Pawlecki gave a resignation letter to Mayor James Opelt last Saturday, and Village Council accepted his resignation Tuesday night.

Mr. Pawlecki, 29, said he decided to resign because the job "wasn't the right fit" for him. He declined to comment further.

He began his new job on July 5 at a salary of $45,000 and planned to move to the village from Perrysburg in the near future. Before coming to Pemberville, he was a Perrysburg police officer.

Mr. Pawlecki was chosen as the chief from a field of 19 candidates who applied after former Chief Robert Vespi, Jr., was hired as Rossford's police chief.

Pemberville officials said they hired Mr. Pawlecki because he had expertise in several areas that Pemberville needs, including skills in grant writing and running bicycle patrols. His last day in Pemberville will be Aug. 13.

Council scheduled a special meeting for 4:30 Monday to decide how to proceed with hiring Mr. Pawlecki's replacement.