Deputy Chief Gary Thatcher

Deputy Chief Gary Thatcher is a 29-year veteran of the Columbus Division of Police. Although he entered the Academy in 1977, he began his career with the Division as an Auxiliary Officer, now known as Reserve Officer, in 1975. He is currently assigned to the Support Services Subdivision. Over the past 15 years as Deputy Chief, he has held assignments in Investigative, Patrol East and Administrative Subdivisions.

Deputy Chief Thatcher holds a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education from The Ohio State University and was a proud member of the OSU Marching Band. He recently received his Masters Degree in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

As an officer, Deputy Chief Thatcher served as an instructor at the Division’s Academy for numerous recruit classes. He taught English, Public Speaking, and Report Writing and is an OPOTA Certified Special Topics Instructor. As a Deputy Chief, he has played an active role in contract negotiations and labor relations, serving on five contract bargaining teams for the City of Columbus.

Deputy Chief Thatcher is a native of Columbus and graduated from West High School. He has two children.

Promotional Background & Assignments

•         Entered Division on September 18, 1977, assigned to Patrol and completed Detective Bureau Training Program
•         Promoted to Sergeant in 1984, assigned to Patrol
•         Promoted to Lieutenant in 1987, assigned to Patrol
•         Promoted to Commander in 1989, assigned to Patrol,  Business and Management Information
•         Promoted to Deputy Chief in 1992, assigned to Investigative, Patrol East, Administrative and Support Services Subdivision