25°SPD gets new chief
Sep 03
2010
The city called a last-minute news conference Friday and announced Jim Lang will replace Charlie Sams as its new interim police chief.
The change in leadership came about after several residents complained about mistakes made by the police department, interim city manager Don Icsman said.
City officials hope a change in leadership will move the department in a positive direction, Icsman said.
“It’s no secret that recently there’s been a number of events and incidents in the community that have raised concerns and issues about the police department,” he said. “There have been criticisms as a result, that are both legitimate and gratuitous, I think.”
“But irrespective of that distinction, those criticism and questions I believe have negatively impacted the police department and the citizens that we all serve. ... (Lang) brings the leadership and experience now that we need during this time. I think it’s important that we do something sooner than later.”
Lang, who worked as the chief ranger for Erie MetroParks since 2002, will begin work part-time Tuesday as Sandusky’s interim police chief.
He will take over full-time duties in two weeks, once his notice with Erie MetroParks concludes.
Sams, who’s been on vacation this week, will return to his previous role as assistant chief when he returns.
The fact that Lang wanted to give Erie MetroParks two weeks notice and not leave them as soon as he received the city’s offer speaks to his professional and personal values, mayor Dan Kaman said.
“He’s well-respected in all aspects of the community,” Kaman said. “I think it’s going to be exactly what we need.”
The city began seriously looking for a full-time chief after retired Judge James Sherck’s decision last month to uphold Kim Nuesse’s termination.
Sams, who’s one year away from possible retirement, repeatedly said he didn’t want the job.
Kaman contacted the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and shortly thereafter received a recommendation for Lang.
Lang, who’s known Icsman for many years, seemed like a good fit to the interim city manager because they already have a level of trust, Icsman said.
Lang supported Icsman when he ran for Sandusky municipal judge in 1995, and Icsman supported Lang when he ran for Erie County sheriff.
“We all felt that you have to stop the bleeding,” Icsman said of the department’s recent woes. “It’s just fortunate that Jim is available, that he’s from this community, that he’s familiar with law enforcement officials here and the sheriff. ... His experience speaks for itself.”
Lang has spent more than 38 years in law enforcement.
He spent 25 years at the Perkins Township Police Department from 1972-96, where he reached the rank of senior sergeant, a rank that was second-in-command at the time.
From 1997-2002, he served as chief of the Put-in-Bay Police Department. He oversaw 49 officers in the summer, which is slightly larger than Sandusky’s current police staff.
Lang understands the challenges at the Sandusky Police Department, city officials said, but he’s ready to face them.
“It’s my honor to take over the helm and see what we can do,” Lang said. “Hopefully, we can make things better.”
Icsman said he spoke with Sams on Friday morning, and Sams approved of the move.
Lang also will embrace the forthcoming ICMA analysis, which the city commission recently approved.
The ICMA’s analysis will measure the department’s strengths and inefficiencies, and give recommendations on how the department can improve.
The study will help Lang evaluate the department faster than he otherwise would be able to, he said.
“The more information you get ... the better,” he said.
Lang will make $85,000, but will not receive health care benefits. He will get the required amount of sick leave and three weeks vacation.
If Nuesse’s reinstated by the 6th District Court of Appeals, she will get her job back, Icsman said.
But Lang said he will remain police chief for “as long as they want,” referring to city officials.
Kaman called Lang’s hiring “a good new beginning.”
“I think it’s going to give us some direction, our department some direction, some leadership and chain of command,” Kaman said. “We’re now going to have a go-to guy. There’s not much that’s going to happen in Sandusky that Mr. Lang hasn’t seen before.”
To watch video of Friday's press conference announcing the change click on the player below
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11:49 AM
Cityslicker says
Congratulations to Jim Lang. I have known Jim for over 30 years, and consider him to be a very good choice for that job. He is fair, and does not have any adjendas, or double standards. Anybody that sees fit to bash Jim for any reason on these blogs obviously does not know him at all. How bout if the register gets him on that between the lines show. That way we could see some intelligence by experience for a change.
09:32 PM
Jonathan Beck says
Yes Indeed, Sandusky just may be the Back Scratching Capital of The World. We should start a grass roots campaign to make that the city,s new official slogan.
PLEASE COME TO SANDUSKY OHIO, WHERE IF YOU SCRATCH MY BACK I WILL SCRATCH YOURS.
It has worked around here for a long time. You can simply scratch, you could give some one some "scratch" to get what you want. You could even remove a Police Chief for a Parking Ticket infraction and hire a rent a judge to back it up. (Rent a Judges do not have to take an oath so they may or may not be telling the truth)
Just get you buddies elected or appointed and it will be business as usual, no questions asked, or else!
07:39 PM
Salvatore says
Lang supported Icsman when he ran for Sandusky municipal judge in 1995, and Icsman supported Lang when he ran for Erie County sheriff. Sounds like you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.
06:58 PM
Jonathan Beck says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained personal attacks. Discussion Guidelines06:34 PM
Julie R. says
Way to go, SR. I respond to Jonathan Beck and then you remove his comment!
05:54 PM
Julie R. says
Jonathon Beck:
I know all of that. I have read everything I could find on the Baumgartner case.........and I still can't figure out how that joke of the century Cuyahoga County judge Shirley Strickland Saffold (better known now as the joke that called herself "lawmiss" on cleveland.com) got away with sentencing Baumgartner to 4 of the 8 years for "intimidating" Bryan Dubois when Dubois didn't even live in Cuyahoga County! They might have used the excuse that the old corrupt judge Richard Markus resided in (corrupt) Cuyahoga County----------but DuBois didn't! Sounds sort of like that Krista Harris case-----where the Toledo 6th District Court of Appeals allowed this dirty joke of a county and one of Moyer's appointed fix-it judges to send her to prison for 5 years on mulitple offenses that should have only been one offense.
The nasty old GOBs (and girls) in the corrupt legal system certainly do play dirty, don't they? And we are all now seeing it in the Kim Nuesse case.
01:54 PM
Jonathan Beck says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained personal information. Discussion Guidelines01:14 PM
Jonathan Beck says
Yes, Julie, it was indeed the Benton-Carroll-Salem school district.
05:00 PM
Tman says
There goes brilliant buff adding in his / her / shim's highly intelligent comments!
11:54 PM
Gardenman says
We read with a flavor of humor the article and one comment struck us all particulary humorous:
quote " Icsman said he spoke with Sams on Friday morning, and Sams approved of the move. "
OK, let me be the devils advocate WHAT pray tell would have happen if Sam's had NOT approved......Dear Lord...would that have meant the deal was off......... the choice was given the door........Icsman would have been back to square one, the news conference would have been cancelled, everyone would have been told to go home ???
Just wondering if Charlie Sams had that kind of control over the decision on who would be his boss or it's kinda of a literary boo boo by the Sandusky Register???
Wonder if they ran the firing of last city manager by Charlie Sams for his approval or maybe the appointment of Icsman to acting city manager had to have Sams approval first?
07:26 PM
FuncoastFan says
Well Julie R. I obviously wasn't looking at the whole picture. I agree that there should be only one standard of intregrity that everyone should be required to follow. I read the article and was actually really happy for Jim. And I saw the negativity and didn't really think about what you were saying until I came back and read your posts again. Can I apologize for being ignorant? I should be embarrassed but I have read worse.
I always find it sad to find out that there is so much dishonesty amongst our community leaders. I have not always been a model citizen, regardless, I am expected to live according to standards that are set by people who do not think they have to follow the same.
I really want to believe that Jim isn't one of them. But I feel that way about all of them. It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. I don't think he should have to deal with all of the negativity that he is walking into. But I am sure he knows that he is.
This is 2010. There shouldn't be a question of whether or not a women can do a job that others feel is a man's job. I made the positve comments because I like Mr. Lang. When I see the success of women I know, I congratulate them also. I don't really care what gender or color a person is as long as they do an honest job and respect the people around them.
Again, I apologize for not reading your posts well enough before making a comment.
05:34 PM
Buff says
tman and julie agree. That speaks volumes!!!!
05:33 PM
Buff says
Wow, sally, you really do live in "Mother's" basement don't you?
01:45 PM
Julie R. says
Don Iscman said that the change in leadership came after several residents complained of mistakes made by the Sandusky Police department.......
Sounds just like a crook attorney-----oh gee, it was an honest mistake. Yet a female police chief gets fired and over a million dollars is spent on rent-a-judges and Cleveland attorneys over a pi*sing match of he said, she said.
Sandusky is a joke. About as big a joke as the more than corrupt Erie County court system!
09:47 AM
Julie R. says
@Ms. Dumas:
I didn't say Mr. Lang wasn't qualified. I just don't buy into Don Iscman's excuses. I believe this was a rushed decision because they know the criticism of the SPD from the family members of Robert Chapman are more than legitimate. This also is just another perfect example of the unlawful GOB mentality that has existed in Sandusky and Erie County for years----fire a female police chief because she didn't display absolute honesty yet on the flip side of the coin it's OK for the interim police chief to lie to family members about the investigation into their brother's death. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
05:53 AM
Salvatore says
Why does a chief of poilice need to be a man? I am not saying that Jim is not qualified, but if Jim were female, would he get the same positive comments? Only time will tell if Jim is the best person for the job. It seems to me that women in law enforcement get the short end of the stick. Remember that female police officer at Perkins PD who was harassed a few years ago?
02:54 AM
FuncoastFan says
Where do you come from? You are only taking equal rights back about 50 years. Duh...
02:48 AM
FuncoastFan says
PS. Come on Jim, a spotted tie with stripes? But oh my gosh Dan has only a T-shirt. Your both unprofessional. Lol. And OMG you two are smiling, can it be real?
02:42 AM
FuncoastFan says
I appreciate the comments voiced by people that are not afraid of saying who they are, being able to show they are educated, and have something encouraging to say.
Mrs. Lang, I know you wanted Mr. Lang to be ready for retirement. But I know that you know that this is a really great opportunity for both of you. He wil be safe and able to do a really good job that he has worked towards all of your lives. You both have only shown good judgement as far as I have ever seen. God bless all of you.
Susan L Dumas
02:28 AM
FuncoastFan says
Do any of you ever think? (Julie R....and......) Maybe Mr. Lang is more qualified than the rest. Do you ever think anyone puts thought into the decisions that are made? Maybe this was not a rushed, rash decision. Maybe if you look at his resume, talk to the people who know him, such as his previous or current tenants, or his co-workers on the police force's he has been with in the past, maybe you will see him as the rest of us do. This is not about who else was brushed aside. This is about who is qualified at the time he is needed. This is about the best candidate right now. Not who did not fit the bill before he came into the picture. Get over it. Ms. Nuesse has to. Hopefully all of you that do not know him, have enough class or tact to not bring into light the heartache that he has had to live through. I doubt it, I read the previous comments. Remember where you came from. And then tell us why you cannot fill the shoes.
Susan L Dumas
02:10 AM
FuncoastFan says
I know Jim personally, I feel he has the character necessary to become the chief of police of any municipality. I am not disregarding any other that could have held the position. I simply know Jim. He is fair, compassionate, honest, and experienced. Congratulations to him.
Sincerely,
S.Dumas
11:25 PM
Tman says
Julie R - you put a lot of comments here but you certainly make a lot of sence while you speak your mind!
Please keep telling / speaking the truth that needs to be exposed!
11:19 PM
Julie R. says
One thing about all these Police Chiefs-----they certainly do seem to be involved in a lot cover-ups.
11:14 PM
Julie R. says
Is the BCS school district by any chance the Benton Carroll Salem school district? If so, I found this under the heading of:
Erie Voices Too: Summary of What Started it All
09:21 PM
Jonathan Beck says
Congradulations Mr Lang. I remember you when you were the Put In Bay Chief of Police. That had to be very difficult in the summertime.
I remember there was an altercation that took place on the island during a 50th birthday party for a Middle School Principal from the BCS School District. It was never reported and members of the BCS Board of Education were told (when the board was out of session) that if they heard anything about this event that they knew nothing about it. I believe that was during the era when Clarke was Superintendent. Can anyone verify this for me. It is possible that a scuffle with injuries may have been covered up and the so-called Sunshine Law may have been violated by the Superintendent of BCS Schools.
Anyway, good luck in your venture, Jonathan
04:57 PM
wiredmama222 says
For what it is worth, a drunken monkey with one eye could tell that the SPD leadership needs a BIG change and it may have it coming. I hope Chief Lang kicks but in that place and gives some of the people there: Sams for one: a chance to see the door....quickly. What surprises me is it took so many COMPLAINTS from citizens to see there was a problem? Who's watching the cops....Laural and Hardy? (I refer to the number of cruiser accidents: get the cops of the cell phones and tell them to drive: poor detective work: check your facts, fellas; highly combustive arrests: people complaining of abuse by police). The list goes on. Good luck, Chief...I have a feeling you are going to need it.
04:26 PM
Tman says
I strongly believe this shake up down at the Meigs Street motel was long in the works and long overdue. Now what is needed is a domino effect! There are a few other names that come to mind in that incompetent cesspool!
On a more positive note - Best of luck to Jim Lang. From what I have heard from an old friend he is well liked and very professional. Something the SPD needs.
12:16 PM
Julie R. says
Salvatore: I doubt if the position was advertised. How could they advertise not knowing (supposedly) how the 6th District Court of Appeals is going to rule on Nuesse's appeal? Sounds more to me like it was a hurry up situation because of the complaints by the family of the man the SPD said committed suicide.
And besides----was the job advertised for somebody to oversee the jail ankle braclet program? Seems to me Sheriff Lyons's brother was hand-picked for that by the Erie County Common Pleas Court Judges Binette, McGookey and Baxter..........oh sorry, I meant Binette, McGookey and Tone.
11:38 AM
katelih says
gene44870, Who cares if Jim's hair is gray or blonde? You sound a bit jealous. Don't let the GREEN MONSTER take control of you .lol
10:49 AM
gene44870 says
Congrats Jim and the best of luck , you are reallly going to need it and one other thing is your hair gray ? cause if its blond that really good cause your hair is reallly going to turn gray and it wont show as much ...lmao
But anyhow , Congrats to all involved and now Mabe we can start the healing and get on with the protection the city deserves .
I am not in anyway saying that our suspended chief wasnt doing her job , I am just saying that sense she has been gone , things have really gotten bad
And one of the top things to do is to find these people that are using our beloved town for the wild west and make sure they cant do i anymore .
09:19 AM
Salvatore says
Was this police chief position advertised for others to apply?
08:42 AM
Julie R. says
Now that I've read the whole article it's easy to see why Mr. Lang was hired so quickly. Can't very well fire a female police chief and spend a million plus on a farce hearing and two rent-a-judges because of a juvenile "he said, she said" situation with Charlie Sams and then have accusations made by people that Sams LIED to them about an investigation into their brother's death.
08:02 AM
rmb409 says
To dorothy gale-- He gets no benefits because he is a double dipper. He already has benefits through his pension plan.
07:06 AM
dorothy gale says
The article said the new acting chief will not receive health care benefits. Why is that? Will that change if his position becomes permanent? He will get vacation time and sick time, so why not health insurance as well?
06:36 AM
Tman says
Julie - Very well said!
10:49 PM
Julie R. says
Considering how Kim Nuesse just filed an appeal why did they hire a new chief? Wouldn't it have made better sense to wait and see how the 6th District Court of Appeals rule? (not that we all don't already know) Could this have anything to do with the family of the man that the SPD said committed suicide making accusations that Charlie Sams LIED to them? After all, the city's second rent-a-judge, like or not, has now set a new precedent-----------LYING IS A FIRABLE OFFENSE!
08:58 PM
Dr. Seuss says
I am very happy for Sandusky. They made an excellent choice. Bout time they get something right.
08:16 PM
reader says
I think Jim Lang is very competent and qualified.
Now all the second guessers and string pullers need to just hush and allow him to lead.
07:45 PM
local man says
Now will they screw up and force him to move into the Sandusky city limits???
05:28 PM
Clawbar9 says
Congratulations, Jim!
04:58 PM
Julie R. says
If what Taxpayer says is true----that Jim won't take any BS from anybody at SPD does that mean he won't take any BS from Baxter and Lyons, too? If so, then he's a good choice----after Kim Nuesse that is. (and as an afterthought-----he certainly does have a nice smile!)
03:46 PM
Darkhorse says
Lang has a tremendous challenge before him. I hope he is up to the challenge and I wish him the best because he is going to need it. The police department is in desperate need of leadership.
03:29 PM
Taxpayer says
Wow! I would have never expected this. Jim always wanted to be sheriff or chief a PPD. Now he landed SPD. He is qualified and is an experienced command manager. He brings almost four decades of police experience. He started as a janitor at SHS and moved his way up through out the area. I believe this will be his final achievement as long as Nuesse is denied the position. If the courts reinstate her, Jim will be out. I hope he understands this will only be temporary. I would rather the city hired one from within, but this hiring outside of the department is one heck of a compromise for all. I wanted Nuesse to be reinstated, but Jim will not take any BS from anyone at SPD. Good luck to you Chief James Lang.
03:11 PM
ERNesbitt says
Hear, hear! What a wonderful turn of events for the SPD.
02:50 PM
CurtisBaillie says
I have known and worked with Jim Lang for many years. He's an excellent choice.
02:39 PM
Keep Focused says
Jim really seems to be a very solid citizen and very experienced police professional.
02:26 PM
MrSandusky says
Excellent choice!! This is exactley what we need, someone with knowledge, experience, and common sense. I hope this is permanent.