BETHEL, Ohio — The investigation into Village of Bethel Police Department Chief Chad Essert has been closed, according to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office.
The Clermont County Sheriff's Office released the investigation report into Essert Friday, which included allegations of misconduct while in uniform.
Mike White, chief deputy with the department, said the case has been closed and "no criminal act was found at this time."
Thursday was the village's first council meeting since Essert was placed on leave, with residents urging village leaders to be more transparent.
The memo, sent to Essert by Mayor Jay Noble, notifies the chief that he was placed on leave starting May 8 pending investigation.
The formal investigation will look into "allegations involving (Essert's) conduct related to the operations of the Bethel Police Department," the memo says. Essert began his term as Bethel police chief in October 2021.
An attorney representing the village told WCPO that the Clermont County Sheriff's Office is investigating the allegations.
In 2023, WCPO's I-Team reported on Essert's career, finding that before he became the Bethel police chief, he had been terminated or forced to resign from three of his previous six policing jobs. His personnel records from those departments, obtained by WCPO, show he was cited for alleged misconduct as a police officer, including a sexual harassment complaint filed against him by a female officer, intimidation of witnesses, untruthfulness, and disobeying orders.
Essert's alleged conduct has not been made public.
WATCH: Bethel's mayor speaks out after the village's first council meeting since the announcement
WCPO did confirm Warren County deputies responded to an incident on Wednesday at Essert's home. The sheriff's office said no charges were filed and no charges are expected to be filed.
During his leave, the memo said Essert will not be able to conduct village business or enter village property unless directed to do so by the mayor or Acting Police Chief Donald Fourth. It also says Essert should not report to work, perform work duties or contact other village employees regarding the investigation.
The memo notes the move is not a "disciplinary measure," and Essert would remain in paid status.
The village of Bethel held its first council meeting on Thursday since Essert was placed on paid administrative leave and put under investigation.
At Thursday’s meeting, one resident urged village leaders to be more transparent.
“A lot of times we have a veil of transparency when it’s really unnecessary, and it’s not in the interest of the public and the public trust,” the resident said.
The resident also warned that secret investigations followed by quiet resignations “dissuade quality people from entering” law enforcement.
Noble defended Essert’s work in the village over the last four years.
“You go back and look at this department four years ago — we got our money’s worth,” Noble said. “He’s a great guy. … I can’t really say anything else because I’m just as shocked as everybody else."
After Noble's memo was made public on Wednesday, WCPO visited Bethel. Residents declined requests to speak on camera, but multiple people said this latest incident makes them question why Essert was hired despite his history.
Officials said details of the current investigation will be made public once the sheriff’s office completes its work.
When we went back to Bethel Thursday afternoon, ahead of the village council's regularly scheduled meeting, we met with Dawn Hazlett, a resident who lives just across the street from the Bethel Police Department. She said she was stunned when she heard the news.
“No warnings, no nothing," Hazlett said.
WATCH: Here's what residents said about the police chief being placed on leave
She said she and other residents are waiting to find out what led to their police chief being placed on administrative leave.
“Just find out the reason behind it, as far as leaving it hanging in the air, people are going to be asking questions," Hazlett said.
Other residents chose not to speak on camera, but shared positive interactions they've had with Essert.
WATCH: Bethel's police chief was placed on administrative leave last week. Here's what we know about Chad Essert
