The Chief of Police is responsible for professional and administrative work in planning, organizing, and directing all activities of the Mentor Police Department. The Chief works directly under the administrative direction of the City Manager / Safety Director, and along with the other city department heads, is intimately involved in the operation of the City of Mentor. The Chief is at the head of the organizational chart and has three division captains reporting to him.
Ken Gunsch was sworn in as Mentor’s newest Chief of Police on May 29, 2019. He has been a member of the Mentor Police Department since 1993. During his employment, he has served as a patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain in charge of operations and support services He received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Kent State University and his Masters of Public Administration from Capella University. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy and the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command.