MANSFIELD — Mansfield Police Department Chief Ken Coontz has announced his retirement, according to Mayor Tim Theaker.
Coontz, 48, will retire after 25 years in law enforcement and plans to take over as the city’s human resources director on April 8, the mayor confirmed Monday morning.
“Police departments need some change,” Coontz said. “For me personally, I feel I need some change.
“I just finished my education (a master’s degree in business administration with a major in healthcare administration with a concentration in Human Resources,) and I’m looking forward to getting an opportunity to help make the HR department more efficient and transparent for the city’s employees and officials,” Coontz said.
“Even with me leaving, whoever takes over, the command staff is excellent. We’ve always ran this police department not as an authoritarian department but with a democratic process.
“The four command staff officers (Captain Shari Robertson, Captain Doug Noblett, Assistant Chief Keith Porch and Coontz) are really who run this department and make the decisions on where this department is going to go,” Coontz said.
“It’s not going to hurt our department to have change. I feel when I’ve left, the department is in very, very good hands,” the chief said.
The HR position became available in January when then-director David Remy became the city’s full-time public works director. At the time, city officials said they hoped to fill the HR slot within 30 to 60 days.
Coontz has been chief since Dec. 12, 2013. Theaker will announce the new police chief at a later date.
Lori Cope, Mansfield’s Safety-Services Director, said the transition will be smooth from Coontz to the next department leader.
“We are very grateful he’s not leaving the city,” she added. “He can remain an asset to the city.”
Coontz was hired as a 22-year-old by the Mansfield Police Department. He said he joined the force because as a child he was inspired by lessons of morality taught to him by his family and law enforcement.
“Just as a child, playing cops and robbers. It’s just always been there. Teaching me to serve others and respect others,” Coontz said of his family. “I think that’s where the foundation of helping others as your duty comes from.”
He has enjoyed everything about being a peace officer, he said.
“The thing I’ll miss most are the officers,” Coontz said. “I can tell you from being on the inside, these guys are phenomenal. There are some really talented people.
“There’s so much chaos that goes on, but you just go to an awards banquet and see all the courageous stuff that they do. Nobody else wants to do that. It’s nice to know these people.”
Porch said he and Coontz have grown close over their time together at the department.
“He’s always been a kind-hearted person and excellent guy,” Porch said. “I’ve appreciated his friendship over the years.”
Coontz has received 23 commendations from the City of Mansfield, two divisional “Top Cop” awards for outstanding performance, an education achievement award and more. In 2017, he was presented with the NAACP community award.
Over the course of the past 11 years, the department has seen a reduction in Part I crimes, a fact Coontz cited as one of his proudest accomplishments, though he was quick to share credit.
“Collaboration with the community and our government counterparts is really what I’m most proud of. That collaboration has resulted in crime being reduced, in the drug unit being efficient, the focus specifically on reducing gun violence and the opioid addiction.”
Part 1 Crimes include eight offenses: murder and non-negligent homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson, according to Uniform Crime Reporting statistics.
“We (command staff members, community members and city council members) went to High Point, North Carolina, where they had a program called Focus Deterrents, and so we learned about that process. The program is phenomenal. We’ve implemented it.”
Coontz said the division is still learning what needs to be tweaked for maximum impact of the program. The program involves calling in criminals and telling them to shape up.
“We’re still adjusting the program, having only two call-ins under our belt,” Coontz said. “One of the things we know is we’re calling in the right people.”
The result of the community and local law enforcement partnerships has reduced crime year-over-year for more than a decade.
“That’s what we’re really proud of,” Coontz said, “not just me but all of us. When you look at overall Part I crimes, they are less today than they were 11 years ago in the city of Mansfield. That should be something to be proud of.
“Those programs that were implemented, along with community members who are interacting with the police department, reducing crime to the rate it is, I can say we have all collaborated.”
Coontz admitted he will miss the badge.
On Thursday, Feb. 28, his department, local, state and federal law enforcement captured 43 individuals on drug trafficking charges. Over the past two years, he has helped break up five drug trafficking rings.
“I’ll miss those types of things, those operations,” he said. “Because they are exciting. I really enjoy the detailing and planning, but I feel like it’s time.
“I’ve had a very full career here. I feel I’ve done everything I can here. I think change will be good for everybody.”
Cope said the transition from law enforcement to HR will be seamless for Coontz.
“He will be a benefit to us,” she said. “He is energetic and likes to see things through. He is a very good mediator and good at bringing everyone to the table.”
