Chief Mike E. Laage - Springdale Police

Chief Michael E. Laage, CLEE; is a native of the Greater Cincinnati area. He graduated from Purcell High School in 1970, and immediately began pursuing his plan to become a law enforcement officer. He attended the University of Cincinnati, obtained an Associate Degree in Police Science, and a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice in 1974. Prior to graduating, Mike tested with the Springdale Police Department and began employment on April 1, 1974.

In 1979, Chief Laage was assigned to Investigations. In 1980, he received the Greater Cincinnati Police Appreciation Award for “Outstanding Investigative Work Leading to the Solution of Crimes During 1979”. In 1984, Mike was promoted to Sergeant, and in 1989 to Lieutenant. In 1990 he was assigned as the department’s first Investigative Supervisor. In 1991 Mike was promoted to Captain, which is the Assistant Chief of the Department. Also in 1991, the Chief was selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, graduating in the 167th class. Only 1% of all law enforcement officers are afforded this opportunity to attend this advance training. In 1998, he completed the Certified Law Enforcement Executive [CLEE} Program. This intensive 14 month training program, conducted by the Ohio Law Enforcement Foundation, 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. He has also been the recipient of the Springdale Officer of the year award in 1995 and 1998.

Chief Laage is very involved in the law enforcement community. He has served as secretary, treasurer, vice president and president of the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police, and also as vice president of the Hamilton County Police Association. The chief is also a founding member of”The Shield”, a police benefit fund in the Greater Cincinnati area. Since 1999, he has served as a member of the Certified Law Enforcement Executive [CLEE] Board, and is currently on his third term, serving as chairperson of the recertification/decertification committee. Chief Laage is a current member of the Great Oaks Police Academy Advisory Committee and also represents the Hamilton County Chiefs Association in all Homeland Security measures, and is also a current board member on the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency [EMA] Executive Committee.

Statewide, Chief Laage serves as the 2007-2008 President of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, also serving on the Law Enforcement Foundation, and the State Jail Advisory Board for the Bureau of Adult Detention.

Chief Laage has been married for 30 years, and has 4 children. Chief Laage has been a very involved member of the Springdale community since 1975, coaching various sports. The chief is also an original member of Springdale Offering Support [SOS], a local group to assist those in need. He has also participated in the local Law Enforcement Special Olympic events for the past 14 years, and currently serves on the Special Olympics Exploratory Ad Hoc Committee for the Ohio Chiefs Assn. The Chief was selected as the “State of Ohio Police Officer” to represent Ohio in the 2006 Special Olympic National Games Final Leg Torch Run in Ames, Iowa.

Chief Laage believes in continuous personal development through formal education and personal experience. Law Enforcement is a career, not just a job. The Chief believes the role of a police officer in today’s society is the most important task in government as the officer is the point person for government. It is the officer who our citizens turn to when there is turmoil in our communities. The officer represents a thin line between order and chaos in our communities. Each and every officer can truly make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens if a sincere commitment to better the lives of those we serve is ever present. The police officer must possess the integrity and professionalism to always do what is right, all the time.

There is never a wrong time to do the right thing.