WHITEHALL, OH (WCMH) – The City of Whitehall has selected a former Ohio Styate Highway Patrol Captain as its new police chief.

Mike Crispen spent 23 years with the patrol, most recently as Captain in charge of the state’s Licensing and Commercial Standards division. He has also been in charge of several patrol posts and a Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy instruction.

Prior to joining the patrol, Crispen spent six years in the army and served two tours of duty overseas.

Crispen has served as an instructor for 11 years at Ohio University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and most recently an executive master’s degree in public administration from the university’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.

In a news release from the city, Crispen said he is excited to transition his career from the state level to a local level.

“It’s a much better opportunity to see the results of your work,” Crispen said about working in a community like Whitehall. “You actually get to see the people you help and see the results of the things you do.”

One of his first priorities on the job will be to sit down with each Whitehall officer to learn the needs of the department and the community.

Crispen replaces Chief Mark Newcomb, who will retire later this month. Newcomb was appointed as chief earlier this year after the retirement of Chief Richard Zitzke.