During the October 20 Health and Safety Committee meeting, Vermilion Police Chief Chris Hartung announced that Detective Sergeant Scott Holmes will succeed him as the city’s next Chief of Police. Following that meeting, Vermilion Daily reached out to Holmes for an interview to learn more about his background, leadership philosophy, and goals for the department.
Can you share a bit about your career with the Vermilion Police Department, when you started, the positions you’ve held, and any specialized training or accomplishments you’re most proud of?
I started my law enforcement career back in 1999 by attending the Cuyahoga County Community College Police Academy. In May 2000 I was hired as a part-time officer for the Kelley’s Island Police Department and as a part-time park ranger for the Lorain County Metro Parks. I worked those two part-time positions until I was hired as a full-time police officer with the Milan Police Department in November 2000. I worked for one year in that position and was fortunate enough to be hired as a full-time patrol officer with the Vermilion Police Department in November 2001.
I became a corporal in 2011 and was promoted to sergeant in 2015. I served as the VPD K-9 handler from 2012 to 2020, serving with K-9 Andy, K-9 Nero, and K-9 Miro. I became a firearms instructor, Taser instructor, and OPOTC K-9 evaluator. I have served on the VPD Marine Patrol Unit since 2008. I worked in the road patrol unit from 2001 to 2020. In 2020 I was moved into the detective sergeant position, which is my current position with the VPD.
In the past 25 years in law enforcement, I have attended more than 175 training classes, conferences, and seminars. I have been very proactive throughout my career in pursuing continuing education and training opportunities. I obtained an associate degree in justice systems, police science, from Lorain County Community College in 2022.
I have attended numerous advanced law enforcement supervisory courses and training, including the Ohio Law Enforcement Foundation’s Supervisor Training and Education Program, Certified Law Enforcement Executive, the FBI Great Lakes Leadership Seminar, and First Line Supervision and the Ohio Chiefs of Police annual training conferences. I also attended advanced investigation courses, such as the Southern Police Institute Homicide Investigation course in 2023, OPOTA Core Criminal Investigations, and Sex Offense Investigations. Recently I attended advanced training with FEMA’s Incident Command System and Public Information Officer training.
I have been fortunate to receive several awards throughout my career with the VPD, including being named the department’s Officer of the Year twice, as well as several awards for meritorious conduct and lifesaving. Of all these, the lifesaving awards are what I am most proud of, for obvious reasons.
What do you see as the most important priorities or challenges facing the department as you prepare to transition into the role of chief?
The priorities and challenges I anticipate as I prepare for the transition into the role of chief include navigating the many changes coming to the VPD and the City of Vermilion. We will have a new mayor, new members of City Council, a new judge, and other possible changes in the city’s administration and divisions. Within the VPD we will have myself as the new chief, as well as a new detective sergeant, detective, school resource officer, dispatcher, and administrative assistant.
On top of that, we face the logistical challenge of moving our operations to the new police station, expected to be completed in early spring 2026. Ensuring that our members are properly trained and equipped for their new roles, and that service to the citizens of Vermilion is not disrupted during this transition, is a top priority.
How would you describe your leadership style and your approach to community policing?
I believe that my leadership style is best described as a combination of transformational leadership and leading by example. I plan to encourage the members of the VPD to share ideas on things that can be modified and improved, and I always try to lead by example.
I am very supportive of community policing. The VPD has a long-standing history of emphasizing the importance of police and community partnerships to solve problems and improve public safety. We have several programs in place to support that, including the School Resource Officer program, Marine Patrol Unit, K-9 Unit, and community outreach events.
I established the “Did the Right Thing” program with Romp’s Dairy Dock about a decade ago. This program gives officers the ability to have positive interactions with children by rewarding safe and responsible behavior with a free ice cream voucher. When I was the K-9 handler, I also hosted the Coffee with a K-9 event annually and conducted K-9 demonstrations.
We’ve had the Coffee with a Cop event in the past and hope to hold another soon. I also served ten years as treasurer and ten years as president of the Vermilion Harbortown Lodge #125 of the Fraternal Order of Police. Through the FOP we sponsor Safety Town, youth sports teams, the community pool, and the Salvation Army’s Adopt a Family program, among others.
I have additional ideas to expand community policing in the future, but I’ll share those once they’re ready. In my opinion, the partnership between the VPD and the community is not optional; it’s a necessity for effective public safety.
What lessons or values from Chief Hartung’s tenure do you hope to carry forward?
I cannot adequately articulate the lessons and values I’ve learned from Chief Hartung and his predecessor, the late Chief Kish. Both taught me lessons that have shaped me into the officer I am today. I’ve learned that integrity is the top priority in policing.
Chief Hartung has been a strong supporter of ongoing training and education for officers and dispatchers, and I plan to continue that emphasis. He has been a mentor and taught me the difference between leadership and supervision, the value of delegation, and of trusting your team. The VPD must operate as a team to be successful, and that will continue to be our focus.
Is there anything you’d like the public to know about your goals for the department or your connection to the Vermilion community?
My goals for the VPD are to continue strengthening our partnership with the community we serve, to emphasize continuing education and training, and to maintain a high standard of service by continually evaluating our policies, procedures, equipment, and technology.
When I participated in the Civil Service Commission’s promotional testing process for chief, I was asked to summarize the VPD mission in three words. I drew from our department’s policy manual and answered: integrity and ethics, community service, and professionalism. Those are the values I intend to emphasize as I lead the department into the future.
Vermilion is not just where I work; it’s my home. My wife, Jenifer, and I have lived here since 2005, raised our children here, and are now helping raise our grandson here. I have always done, and will continue to do, everything in my power to ensure the safety and security of my home, the City of Vermilion.
Holmes is set to officially become Vermilion’s Chief of Police on April 10, 2026, the same day Chief Chris Hartung will retire after more than a decade leading the department.
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