Deputy police chief tagged to run panel

5/11/2001

Nate Ford, a deputy Toledo police chief, has been hired as the executive director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

The council yesterday approved his hiring, and Mr. Ford will begin the job June 11.

Common Pleas Judge James Bates, chairman of the council, said Mr. Ford had some work for the police department that he wanted to finish and he wanted some time to get his retirement papers in order, as well as take a brief vacation.

Judge Bates said that between two job interviews, Mr. Ford had read consultant reports concerning the council and made suggestions about how the agency might be improved.

Mr. Ford said yesterday he will be sorry to leave the department, but looks forward to the challenge of expanding cooperation between elements of the criminal justice system.

Mr. Ford joined the police department in 1973 and rose through each rank before his appointment as deputy chief in 1994. He is head of the operations bureau and has commanded the training section and the investigative services bureau.

Judge Bates said Mr. Ford will be paid $62,000 annually and have the use of a car for work purposes. He will get two weeks of vacation.

Toledo police Capt. Donald Kenney has been the interim director since the retirement of Marti Felker, a former Toledo police chief.

Mr. Felker was paid $60,000 annually, Judge Bates said, and received seven weeks vacation.

As a deputy chief, Mr. Ford is paid just under $82,000 and will be eligible for a pension of about 65 percent of that.

Police Chief Mike Navarre said he will accept applications for the position of deputy chief from officers who are captains in the department.

The council operates the Northwest Ohio Regional Information System, a computer system that coordinates criminal record information for Toledo police, the Lucas County sheriff's office, and Toledo Municipal Court.

A 13-member board, composed of representatives of the city, county, local courts, and police agencies, runs the council.

The Toledo mayor and county commissioners appoint 10 members, and three are drawn from area law-enforcement boards.