Perkins names new police chief

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins officials named a longtime township law enforcement officer as the government's new top cop. On Wednesday, following a brief meeting, staff members recommended Jeff Musser serve as Perkins police's next police chief. A public swearing-in ceremony takes place 6 p.m. Tuesday at Township Hall, 2610 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. It's there where township trustees expect to officially vote Musser into office. Musser, a seasoned township police officer who's served in various leadership capacities over a two-decade-plus tenure, became Perkins' interim chief in September when former police chief Vince Donald suddenly passed away. Donald, 48, became Perkins' chief in 2020. "I would like to thank the Perkins Township board of trustees, township administrator and the Perkins Township Police Department for all the support that they have given me following the very difficult time after the passing of Chief Donald," Musser said. Musser went on to extend his appreciation toward several others. "I would also like to give my sincere gratitude to all of the men, women and families of the Perkins Township Police Department for their constant service and sacrifice to the residence of Perkins Township," he added. "I would like to thank all the surrounding law enforcement agencies for their support and assistance," Musser said. "Lastly, I would like to thank my wife, my son, my daughter and my family for their unwavering support throughout my career." With the promotion comes a higher salary. Musser stands to make a bit more than what he's earning right now, roughly $88,900. He's still in a negotiation phase with the township. Two other candidates, Perkins police sergeants Brent Adams and Martin Curran, vied for this position. They both intend on staying with the force in their current capacities. "Sgt. Adams and Sgt. Curran will continue to play a vital role in the Perkins Township Police Department," Musser said. "The years of experience that they provide are invaluable to the leadership of the department," Musser added. "I will continue to lean on their experience to help provide guidance and assist me in moving our department forward. I look forward to the opportunity to continue working with them." Community-first approach With Perkins police, Musser started out as a road officer in 1998. He then received a promotion to sergeant in 2002. Then, in 2020, he began to oversee Perkins' patrol division, effectively becoming the department's second-in-command under Donald. Perkins officials expressed confidence in Musser's abilities to oversee the department. He "has been with the department since 1998, and the board has confidence in his administrative abilities and leadership experience," trustee Jeff Ferrell said. During the interim phase, all three trustees — Ferrell along with Tim Coleman and Jim Lang, a former Sandusky police chief — placed their faith in Musser in continuing Donald's way of handling local police business. Musser worked as a sergeant when Donald served as chief. Under Donald's direction, many praised the department for its work in apprehending criminals, finding fugitives and ensuring transparency with incidents or investigations. And, most of all, many people appreciated the agency's community-first approach, which consisted of hosting events amid non-emergency situations to foster goodwill between law enforcement and area residents. "The Perkins Township Police Department will continue to be a community policing-driven organization with an emphasis placed on continuing to make Perkins Township the safest community possible," Musser said. "It's been the new culture that Chief Donald has established, and our department intends to carry on his vision," Musser added. "The Perkins Township Police Department will continue to have a strong presence in our community and be a community-driven police department."