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Director of Public Safety

Director of Public Safety: Thomas Nesbitt Mailing Address: Director of Public Safety 218 Cleveland Avenue SW Canton, OH 44702 Phone: (330) 438-4305 email Fax: (330) 489-3282

The Director of Public Safety is the executive head of the Police Department, Fire Department and Communication Center. He has the chief administrative authority over the Building and Traffic Engineering Departments. The Director of Public Safety is responsible for developing, coordinating, evaluating, managing and encouraging the implementation of various programs in the departments under his jurisdiction. Biography for Thomas E. Nesbitt Safety Director, City of Canton Mayor William J. Healy II Born and raised in the great state of Nebraska, Safety Director Thomas Nesbitt has been an active law enforcement officer for over thirty years. After graduating from high school and attending the University of Omaha, Tom realized that his goal was more to serve the public than to enter the business world. It was for this reason that, at the age of 19, Tom began his career in law enforcement by working at two local police departments before joining the ranks of the Nebraska State Patrol in 1978. After holding many different positions within the department and steadily rising among the ranks to become a commanding officer, Tom was appointed Colonel-Superintendent by Governor Mike Johanns in January of 2000. After serving in the patrol's top post for five years, Tom stepped down in 2005 to retire at the age of 50. He then went on to start several private companies that specialized in security consulting and other related services, but soon realized he was not satisfied working exclusively in the private sector. After coming across the position he now occupies through a national police recruiting service, Tom was chosen to be the Safety Director by the Mayor in December 2007. Tom brings with him an incredible amount of experience in the area of law enforcement, and hopes to be able to apply much of the knowledge he obtained while managing over 720 officers and civilian employees within the Nebraska State Patrol to his new role as the top official in charge of the Canton Police and Fire Departments. Tom is married to his beautiful wife Debra, and together have two children, Nicholas (18) and Bailey (9). Tom's family will join him here in Canton after his son graduates from high school in June.

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