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WEST CHESTER TWP. — Hours after the resignation of its former chief, West Chester Twp. officials announced to its police department today the appointment of a new leader.

Lt. Erik Niehaus, 37, has been named to fill the position vacated by Col. John Bruce earlier today, Monday, Dec. 1, according to Sgt. Mike Quinn, president of FOP Lodge 186. The posting at the department headquarters was written by Public Safety Director James Dethridge.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., today, Dec. 1, Trustees issued a statement confirming the appointment.

Trustees still have to make the appointment official, which they are expected to do at their meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2. Quinn says the union is fully backing Niehaus.

"We're excited about him. We like all three of the candidates, to be honest — I think he's going to a great job," he said.

Captains Joel Herzog, 40, and David Kelly, 44 and Niehaus were being considered to replace Bruce, whose contract extension was not renewed by trustees earlier this summer.

"He is a very intelligent young man," said Trustee Catherine Stoker of Niehaus. "And he's given a lot of thought to the position of police chief. Apparently, it's been on his mind for a number of years."

Stoker said she was most impressed with Niehaus' approach to his new position, and its relationship with the broader township. She said he has already discussed operational changes with trustees, and has analyzed the department's budget.

"He tackles every problem with intensity and thoughtfulness," Stoker said.

Stoker said trustees have yet to discuss Niehaus' salary, but they're supposed to at Tuesday's meeting.

Niehaus was promoted to lieutenant in May 2005. He is a graduate of Ball State University, where he attended on a baseball scholarship and received a bachelor's degree in sports management while maintaining a presence on the college's dean's list in each of his four years. Niehaus went to law school at Northern Kentucky University and is an attorney, most recently requesting in 2005 to practice law part time.

"Since joining our department, I have always found him to be an honest, dedicated and extremely hardworking individual," Bruce wrote in a letter in 2003 to the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

He is a 2006 graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College.

He joined the department in November 1994 as a police officer before working his way through the ranks as patrol shift commander and then SWAT commander. He currently serves as criminal investigation section commander.

Niehaus is the son of the late David Niehaus, a Butler County Juvenile Court Judge, who passed away July 31.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.