On March 30, 2023, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz hired Michael Troendle to be the new police chief in Toledo.
In an article that appeared in The Blade on that date, the mayor stated that the new chief was planning to move with his family from the suburbs to the city, which was important to the mayor.
“It is uniquely important for the police chief to live in the city of Toledo,” the mayor had said. “His willingness to make that decision shows that he is committed to the job.”
Nearly 17 months later, Chief Troendle still has not moved to Toledo from his home in Whitehouse.
A spokesman for Chief Troendle on Monday said in an email that the chief was unavailable for comment on why he hasn’t moved to Toledo and would only state “he does intend to move into the city, and that move is still in progress.”
Mayor Kapszukiewicz said he was “very disappointed” that the chief has not yet moved to Toledo.
“It is important, especially in modern urban America, for the chief of police to live in the city. It was a big part as to why I selected Chief Troendle,” said the mayor.
He was told by the chief he had made offers on a couple of houses, but they fell through.
“He’s been close a couple of times. I know it is still his intent. He’s repeatedly said that to me,” the mayor said.
It is important to have the police chief live in Toledo because there is a “unique component of trust” when it comes to the police department that doesn’t affect any other department quite the same way, said the mayor.
“The trust between the police department and the citizens they serve is so important to the performance of the job,” he said.
He noted that his father was a police officer who lived in Toledo.
“He and my mom still live in the same house where I was raised in West Toledo,” he said. “I know it was a big deal for our neighbors to know that a police officer lived down the street. Once in a while, my dad brought the squad car home, and they enjoyed seeing it. It’s important to continue to build the trust between the police department and the people they protect. And it is uniquely important for the chief, as the lead symbol representing the police department, to live in Toledo.”
He would prefer all city employees live in Toledo. But the Ohio Supreme court has ruled against residency requirements.
“Historically, we had it. The city can no longer require it, but it’s still my preference that they do,” the mayor said.
According to the Lucas County auditor’s office, the chief and his wife purchased their current home for $304,000 in July, 2009. The property value has increased to $502,700, according to an estimate by Zillow, an online real estate website that features property listings. The 3,174-square-foot single-family home has four bedrooms and 2.5 baths and is in the Anthony Wayne School District.
Mick Beier, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Toledo, said steep interest rates have cooled the market for higher-priced homes.
“Anytime you are looking to buy houses over $400,000, there’s not a lot of inventory,” said Mr. Beier. “Right now, there are 11 houses for sale between $400,000 and $500,000 in Toledo. Six have four bedrooms, and five have three bedrooms.
The housing market gets better as the price range drops, he said. “The number of houses currently for sale between $300,000-$400,000 in Toledo increases to 19, nine of which have four bedrooms.”
“Interest rates have a pretty big effect on monthly house payments. They are trending in the right direction,” he added. “We’re hoping that is going to open up some more opportunities in a higher price range.”
Despite the chief not yet following through on his commitment to move to Toledo, the mayor said he is pleased by his leadership in reducing crime.
“As disappointed as I am that he has not yet moved to the city, I will say he’s done an excellent job as chief. I don’t want to lose sight of that,” the mayor said. “Our crime stats have gone down under his leadership. I believe I made the right choice selecting him as chief because his performance has been excellent. Nonetheless, he did commit he would move to Toledo. I’m disappointed and hope he will make the move sooner rather than later.”
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