Brimfield Police Chief David Oliver uses humor, honesty to inform residents on Facebook

KENT, Ohio - Although it may seem like the most unlikely of places, Brimfield, Ohio has become a popular spot internationally for surfers of the web. Why you ask? Because of its eccentric, no apologies, tell it like it is police chief, David Oliver.

Oliver, who celebrated eight years as the top cop in Brimfield Township Wednesday, told newsnet5.com that the department's Facebook page has gotten hits from as far away as Germany and England.

"The people who read our page know we are honest and we are never going to lie to them," Oliver said. "Even though I have done this job for a number of years it still shocks me," he said, "It's been a wonderful tool. We get so much positive feed back on it."

The Facebook page has more than 2,000 "likes" and is growing, Oliver said.

Some of those posts give you insight into police work that you might not find on TV shows like "Law and Order" or "CSI."

Former US House speaker Tip O'Neil once said, "All politics is local" and Oliver's Facebook posts seem to prove that point time and time again.

He writes:

“Okay...again...seriously.... Another from the did this just happen file... Officers were called to the plaza for what we can only describe as an illegal dumping incident...the caller advised a male had just dropped pants and used the restroom in the parking lot; we will just say a "number 2"...I caught up with him at I-76 and SR43...Officer Diehl joined me. The subject was arrested for his sixth OVI offense, driving under suspension and public indecency...we may never be the same...Chief."

"When I wrote that post as with many of the posts that I tried to have our readers see it from our prospective and I try to do it with a little humor," Oliver said.

Another post reads:

“While you were sleeping....officers were called to an apartment on Meloy Road for the report of a subject attempting to enter the apartment with a gun...We had very little description and cooperation from the "victims". This appears to be a drug related incident. The five males living at the residence admit to buying weed, using weed and also having weed delivered to the apartment...we aren't sure if they were behind on their "tab" or not; however they are now on our RADAR and will be asked, via a letter from me, to stop engaging in drug activity or leave the community immediately. The owner of the apartment will also be notified...Chief."

"It's fantastic to have real time communication with input back from our community," he said. "If we catch someone trafficking drugs, I will tell them don't come to this town trafficking drugs. We don't want you here."

Another post shares Oliver's experience of a baby born drug addicted.

"In a very aggravating turn of events, we are investigating an incident involving a new-born baby, born with a heroin addiction...we have completed an emergency removal of the baby and the baby is recovering and is being very well taken care of. The mother will likely see us, really soon...we will release more as the investigation moves forward...We often hear about drug users and the "fact" that drug use only has an impact on the person using drugs. "Just legalize drugs"... The people who offer that information are liars and ignorant."

Oliver’s post continued:

"Drug use impacts the user, the family, neighbors and the community. When several communities are impacted, the region suffers...and so on. The people at fault for our drug problems are users and sellers. The people who traffic drugs are greedy, lazy and the biggest part of our problem. Instead or working for an honest wage, they prey on the weak and make money.. If you sell drugs here, leave town immediately. We have three certified drug dogs and 12 highly trained and very eager officers who are looking for you....and their boss gives them all the time, tools and resources they need...Chief."

His interaction with a man he claims was drunk and looking for a prostitute in the police parking lot really takes the cake. Here is part of the post he put on Facebook:

"Okay...after a few years of doing this job, I pretty much thought I had seen it all. Well, I guess I have not. About 15 minutes ago I was sitting at my desk typing an email. I looked out the window, as I often do, and I saw a man standing in the back parking lot. I thought perhaps he was a contractor looking at the building for the bidding process. I walked outside to speak with him. The camera I thought he was holding was not a camera...It was a can of Old Milwaukee beer....and he was likely one of the most intoxicated people I have ever seen...Now I'm standing there in uniform, next to a police car....the conversation was something close to this..."

His post continued:

"Chief: "Good morning, can I help you?"