The City of Mentor has announced the appointment of Captain Kenneth K. Gunsch as the city’s new Police Chief. Gunsch will replace current Mentor Police Chief, Kevin Knight, who is retiring on May 31st after 37 years with the force.
“Captain Gunsch has provided 25 years of leadership. He has the respect of the members of the department as well as the community,” says Mentor City Manager Kenneth J. Filipiak, “He’ll do a great job of maintaining the traditions and high level of excellence expected of the Mentor Police Department.”
Gunsch joined the department in 1993 as a patrol officer. Through the course of his career, he has served as an evidence technician, field training officer, and as a detective with Mentor’s Criminal Investigation Unit. As a result of his exceptional service, Gunsch rose through the ranks and was promoted to Captain in 2012.
“I am confident the Captain Gunsch will do an excellent job as Chief of the Mentor Police Department,” says Knight, “Captain Gunsch has worked extremely hard over the last 25 years to prepare himself for this challenge. My hope is that he receives the same outstanding support that I have received from Mentor residents, City Council, and Administration.”
There is a tradition of law enforcement in his family. His father was a Lieutenant with the Cleveland Police Department’s Homicide Unit and his uncle was a Brookpark Police Lieutenant.
The Brookpark native’s career path began when he entered the US Army after graduating from Holy Name High School in 1985 where he served overseas in Military Intelligence through 1988. After his honorable discharge, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Kent State University. Gunsch also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Capella University, attended the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Gunsch’s appointment will become effective June 1, 2019.