A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR DENSMORE – On behalf of the Village, I’m proud to officially announce the confirmation of Ryland Reed as the Chief of Police. Chief Reed, who has most recently guided the department as Interim Chief, brings two decades of law enforcement experience and a proven nine-year track record of transformative leadership directly within the Golf Manor Police Department.

Since beginning his service with the Village in 2017, Chief Reed has been instrumental in modernizing the department, strengthening community ties, and elevating Golf Manor’s professional standing across the State of Ohio.

A Message from Chief Ryland Reed to the Residents of Golf Manor:

“I began my service with the Golf Manor Police Department in 2017. From day one, my prior supervisory and operational experience from South Carolina shaped my approach to leadership. That experience—and the immediate, positive impact it had on our agency was recognized early by Village Council, which amended ordinances to authorize consideration of my previous command-level service. This legislative action paved the way for my promotion to Sergeant after just six months, marking the beginning of transformative change within the department.

As Sergeant, I led critical modernization initiatives that improved officer safety, strengthened transparency, and reduced municipal liability—core legal responsibilities of any law-enforcement executive. Among the earliest accomplishments, I directed the deployment of body-worn cameras, upgraded the in-car camera systems, and replaced outdated weapons platforms with more reliable and accurate systems. This included modernizing rifle platforms and adding suppressors, a change that both protects officers’ hearing and reduces civilian trauma during active threat responses. Each of these decisions was rooted in legal best practice, risk management, and nationally recognized standards of care for public safety agencies.

I oversaw a full replacement of obsolete policies with Lexipol-compliant standards, ensuring our operations aligned with established legal precedent, constitutional policing requirements, and industry best practices. I also modernized the patrol fleet, securing safer vehicles, improving warranties, and enhancing equipment, promoting fiscal responsibility, operational readiness, and officer safety.

My leadership in community-oriented policing reshaped the department’s relationship with the residents we serve. I personally coordinated major community events, including our annual Fourth of July festivities. In 2019, I founded the Shop with a K9 Cop program, which has become one of the most impactful community engagement initiatives in our village. These programs strengthened trust, improved communication, and reinforced our commitment to service beyond enforcement.

Recognizing the necessity of interagency collaboration, I expanded our operational partnerships, significantly increasing the village’s emergency preparedness and access to specialized resources. I currently serve—without additional compensation—on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Executive Board. I have also assigned departmental personnel to the JTTF and the U.S. Marshals Service SOFAST Task Force, expanding our intelligence capabilities and providing direct federal-level support to the Village of Golf Manor.

My commitment to this community has been demonstrated not only in my work but in the countless unpaid hours dedicated to being accessible 24/7 to officers, residents, and village leadership. Strengthening mutual-aid pathways, building interagency trust, and raising the professional standing of the department have been central pillars of my service. As a result, Golf Manor is now recognized across Ohio and beyond as an agency of professionalism, reliability, and progressive leadership.

Internally, my leadership has produced measurable, lasting improvements to organizational structure and performance. I established a formal Investigations Division, providing 24/7 access to trained investigators and ensuring that no victim or case falls through the cracks in procedures. I significantly improved officer morale, retention, and recruitment, positioning Golf Manor as a destination agency for high-quality officers. I also implemented a full modernization of the department’s visual identity, including badges, patches, and vehicle graphics, reinforcing a professional and contemporary image aligned with community expectations.

To ensure continuity of operations and lawful succession planning, I established the rank of Corporal. This crucial reform strengthened command structure, mitigated legal risk, and improved leadership development throughout the department.

I have dedicated my career to elevating the Golf Manor Police Department to levels previously thought unattainable.

As we move into this next chapter, I strive to provide a safe and prosperous environment for our residents and to build a department with highly trained, professional, community-oriented, and driven staff members who always put the community first. I will continue to be a visionary leader, ensuring this agency and village as a whole continue moving forward as we strive to be the best. We will continue to increase transparency and communication with those we serve, as we strive to reach the community on a personal level and solve problems with long-term rather than short-term solutions.

I am here for you; we are here for you. Thank you for your trust and support.”

 

Under Chief Reed’s leadership, residents can look forward to expanded community engagement initiatives, including upcoming Townhalls, partnerships with County Heath & Human Services, the launch of a Citizens Police Academy, and “Coffee with the Chief” events aimed at fostering direct dialogue.

Please join the Village administration, Council, and the entire Golf Manor Police Department in congratulating Chief Ryland Reed on his official appointment.

 

This Mayor’s report is respectfully submitted to the residents of Golf Manor. Thank you for the honor of being your Mayor. 

Mayor Stefan C. Densmore 

Village of Golf Manor