Covington, the largest city in Northern Kentucky, has lost two top officials this week – its city manager and police chief.
Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti announced his retirement on July 8 at the Board of Commissioners meeting. Covington Lt. Col. Justin Wietholter was announced as Valenti’s successor.
“Covington isn’t only my employer or where I work,” Valenti said in a news release. “It has become a home, a second family that can never be replaced. I am grateful to have been able to serve this great city and work alongside some of the finest people I will ever know.”
His last day as chief will be Aug. 1.
Valenti has been on the force since 1996, advancing through the ranks as a DUI enforcement officer, detective, narcotics officer, and patrol officer, according to a news release from the city. He was promoted to police chief in 2022.
Valenti said Wietholter has been “honing his skills under my direction for the last couple of years” and is the logical next choice for police chief.
Wietholter was part of the department’s Police Cadet Program and started at the department in 2005. He oversees several of the department’s bureaus, including the SWAT Team, and has served as the Assistant Chief of Operations since 2022.
“As someone who was raised here and has spent more than twenty years with the Covington Police Department, I’ve witnessed firsthand the city’s remarkable growth and transformation,” Wietholter said in the news release. “I’m excited to lead a department committed to progress, accountability, and innovation—values that reflect the police department and the city’s dynamic future.”
City manager Ken Smith submits resignation
Ken Smith, who served as city manager since 2001, submitted his resignation earlier this week.
“The decision was his own, and the city is grateful for his service during his tenure,” the city said in a statement.
While it’s unclear why he resigned, the decision comes amid a government change voters approved in November.
The city will switch from a city-manager form of government to a mayor-council form of government.
In the former, city staff reported to the city manager who was responsible for fulfilling directives from an elected four-person commission and mayor. When most of the changes go into effect in 2027, the city manager position will be eliminated and the mayor will have a more direct role in day-to-day operations at the city.
The Enquirer has submitted a public records request for more information.
This article has been updated with additional information from the City of Covington.
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington police chief retires, city manager resigns
Reporting by Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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