The city of Reading announced its police chief, Bryan Edens, plans to retire, a month after the city placed him on administrative leave amid an outside investigation. Edens has served as Reading’s chief since 2020 and has been with the department since 2000.

Investigation and Retirement

The city posted to its Facebook page on May 7 that the Mayor had placed Chief Edens on leave, pending the results of an external investigation. In a post on Thursday, the officials stated both the city and Edens have agreed that he will officially retire on Aug. 7 and until then use the remainder of his non-sick paid time off.

Lieutenant Daniel Flottemesch has been serving as interim chief since May 6 and will continue to serve in that position until a new permanent chief is certified. The circumstances surrounding the investigation remain unclear, but during a council meeting last month, a Reading resident raised questions about the police department and Edens’ status.

Patrick Ross, Reading’s safety service director, responded that it was an ongoing investigation ‘beyond the city’ that they can’t speak on. The Reading Police Department has faced scrutiny in the past. Last year, an outside firm examined the department’s culture, and in December, two former Reading officers alleged that more than a dozen colleagues had left the department due to grievances.

Despite the leadership changes, residents expressed confidence in the work of Reading’s police officers. Only one of the several people interviewed knew of Edens’ status. The consensus among people who live and work in Reading was that the officers continue to perform their duties effectively.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.