Chief Michael E. Laage, CLEE; is a 36 year law enforcement veteran. He attended the University of Cincinnati, and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice in 1974 and immediately began his career with the Springdale Police Department.

In 1980, Inv. Laage received the Greater Cincinnati Police Appreciation Award for "Outstanding Investigative Work leading to the Solution of Crimes during 1979". Through the years, he progressed in rank and in 1991; the Chief was selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, graduating in the 167^th class. Only 1% of all law enforcement officers are afforded this opportunity to attend this advanced training. In 1998, the Chief completed the Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE) Program. This intensive 14 month training program, conducted by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, is the most advanced law enforcement training offered within the State of Ohio. In 1998, Mike was promoted to the Police Chief's position within the Springdale Police Department.

Chief Laage is very involved in the law enforcement community. Within Greater Cincinnati Chief Laage has served on various boards and is a past president of the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police. He is also a founding member of The Shield, an organization to benefit the families of those officers that have been killed or critically injured in the line of duty. Chief Laage served on the Executive Board of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and was the 2007-2008 OACP President. In 2007, the Chief received the Greater Cincinnati Award for "Superior Achievement in Police Leadership" and in 1010, the "William E. Crosier Distinguished Service Award" from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chief Laage has been married for 33 years, and has 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren. He has also participated in the local Law Enforcement Special Olympic events for the past 20 years, and currently serves on the Special Olympics Exploratory Ad Hoc Committee for the Ohio Chiefs Association. In 2006, Chief Laage was selected to represent all officers from Ohio in the USA Torch Run Final Leg for the first ever USA Special Olympics National Games.