By Wayne Gates –
Mt. Orab Police Detective Justin Conley will be the new commander of the Brown County Drug and Major Crimes Task Force.
Conley will assume his duties on Nov. 17.
He was chosen by a panel that included Brown County Prosecutor Zac Corbin, Brown County Sheriff Gordon Ellis and Aberdeen Police Chief Fred Hampton, who represented local village police departments.
“He has incredible skills as an investigator, he’s a man of character and very personable,” said Corbin of Conley.
Ellis also had kind words for the man who he will be working closely with.
“He brings to the table a depth of local knowledge that allows him to hit the ground running on day one. He already has a significant base of information relating to drug crime in Brown County. His work ethic is very sound and I think he’s ready to take that task force to the next level,” said the sheriff.
Conley said he was ready to get started in his new job.
“I’m grateful to Sheriff Ellis and Prosecutor Corbin for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Brown County,” Conley said.
“I look forward to the unique situation that the position offers to work with all the law enforcement agencies in the county in an effort to tackle our shared responsibility to keep drugs out of our community.”
Conley began his law enforcement career in 2002 when he graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Southern State Community College in 2002.
After an internship at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, he worked for about a year as a corrections officer before returning to the police academy in Greenfield.
He was sponsored there by the Mt. Orab Police Department, and took a part-time job with the department when he graduated.
He was promoted twice after that, once to full time patrolman and then to detective two years ago.
“Mt. Orab is a wonderful place to work and I cannot thank them enough for the experience and training that I have gained there over the years,” said Conley.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with members of the task force already through my position with the Mt. Orab Police Department and I’m excited to move forward with such a great group of people.”
Conley said he was looking forward to working with other members of the community as well.
“Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with the Coalition For a Drug Free Brown County. I have already been impressed by the members of our community that are passionate to ensure that prevention and rehabilitation options are being made available,” Conley said.
“I feel that too many families have already been affected by drug use and/or the crimes that go along with it. Working together with enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation, I have no doubt that we will make a difference in Brown County.”
Conley said his time in Mt. Orab will also help him work with other offices in the county.
“I’ve had the opportunity working in Mt. Orab to make contacts in all aspects of Brown County from the the prosecutors office to the court system and children’s services. It never hurts to have those contacts to reach out to when investigations are underway.”
Conley said that he was looking forward to remaining as task force commander for a long time.
“I have a vested interest in Brown County. It’s where I’m raising my family. I don’t plan to leave anytime soon, so I want to make it the best I possibly can,” he said.
Conley is also asking Brown County residents to help him and the task force.
“I would encourage the citizens of Brown County to help us keep drugs out of the county by providing information about suspected drug activity. We always appreciate their help.”
Anyone that wishes to leave an anonymous tip with the task force can do so by calling (937) 378-2573.