The village of Bethel’s police chief was accused of sexually harassing a subordinate struggling with her mental health, records show.
The allegations were documented in records released by the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office after The Enquirer asked for the findings of an investigation involving Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert.
The Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office asked the sheriff’s office to investigate possible criminal misconduct regarding an allegation of Essert bringing his work vehicle to Dayton for an affair, documents show.
In the course of the investigation, the sheriff’s office spoke with a former employee who said Essert told her she “couldn’t kill herself until he slept with her” after she told him how she’d been struggling with her mental health.
The sheriff’s office found Essert committed no crimes regarding his vehicle use. It left open the possibility for a future criminal investigation into the sexual harassment.
The village of Bethel plans to conduct its own administrative investigation into Essert.
Essert remains on leave, according to a Bethel statement provided May 21.
Documents: Bethel chief accused of sexually harassing employee
According to the documents, a former employee told the sheriff’s office that Essert required her to come into the police department while she was off-duty to take her telehealth appointments. When she’d come in, he would make “inappropriate and uncomfortable remarks,” the documents stated, including once telling her to wear sweatpants.
After meeting at an Italian restaurant to discuss her mental health progress, Essert suggested the two return to his vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office documents. She said he put his hand on her thigh and asked what color underwear she was wearing.
“Hе asked her how it was making her feel,” the documents stated. “The source said she told him that it was making her feel like she was going to have a heart attack.”
Essert twice told her to show him her scars from when she was younger, she told the sheriff’s office. One time, she said, Essert cornered her in a room and told her to show him her scars, causing her to run.
The former employee didn’t want to pursue a criminal investigation into his behavior as of May 6, the documents stated. However, the sheriff’s office wrote “an additional investigation may commence in the future.”
Bethel Mayor Jay Noble said: “Any disciplinary or removal action to follow the conclusion of the Village’s investigation will be performed in compliance with applicable law.”
Essert did not respond to several emails and voicemails left at his phone number to discuss the investigations.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office redacted Essert’s name from the documents records because he wasn’t charged with any crimes.
Who is Chad Essert?
Essert became Bethel’s police chief in September 2021, according to his personnel file. He completed a law enforcement leadership program from Northwestern University in 2024.
Prior to Bethel, he led a of staff of five as the village of Fayetteville’s police chief for seven years, according to a copy of his resume. He has worked as a police officer since 2003.
Essert went on paid administrative leave May 8, records show. He took medical leave May 17 and is being paid with accrued time off, Noble said.
Sgt. Donald Fourth is acting as chief in Essert’s absence, according to a Bethel police officer who answered the phone May 21.
The Bethel Police Department had nine full-time officers as of a 2023 annual report. They monitor a population of just over 2,600 residents.
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or 800-273-8255 any time day or night, or chat online at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bethel police chief accused of sexually harassing subordinate
Reporting by Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
