Police

Message from the Police Chief

Message from the Police Chief 5/10/24

As always, if you see a potential problem or need the police, don’t hesitate to call us at 859-292-3622 this is the number to police dispatch.  The dispatcher can send an officer to you or have them call you directly 24 hours a day.  In an emergency always call 911.  If you simply need to talk with someone in a non- emergency, feel free to call the police department direct line at 859–441-7473.

-Summer is fast approaching so please be cautious while driving through our city.  Kids will be out playing and the police will be out watching your speed and stop signs. 

 -As you complete your spring cleaning, don’t forget that we have a drug take back box at the city building.  Any old, outdated or no longer needed prescription drugs can be dropped into the box.  These pills will be destroyed so they do not end up in the hands of those that should not have them.  The drug drop box is available during the city office business hours of M-F. 

 -You can sign up for alerts from the Southgate Police Department (and other public safety agencies in our area) simply by visiting our city website and clicking on the police department link.  There you will find the signup for Nixle alerts.  Nixle is a free program that can help you stay informed of safety issues as well as community related events in our area.

 -Finally, this is a reminder to lock your doors of your vehicles and your homes.  Please call the police if you see something suspicious in your neighborhood.  Being a good neighbor is sometimes as simple as looking out for each other!

Have a great summer!

Chief Christmann

Speed Limits

The speed limit on city streets is 20 mph unless otherwise marked.  Some streets are marked at 15 mph. Please drive safely and obey all traffic control devices.

Who We Are

801 Chief John Christmann

Chief Christmann has been with the City since February 2012 when he was appointed by Mayor Hamberg to serve as the Chief of Police for the newly re-established police department.  He previously retired from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office with over 20 years of Law Enforcement experience.  He was a member of the Criminal Interdiction Unit for the last several years of his career with Boone County.  His specialty, while serving with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, was drug interdiction and commercial vehicle inspection.  Chief Christmann was responsible for or assisted with the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug-related funds and illegal contraband.  He also was a certified instructor for the US DOT/Federal Government, training federal, state, and local officers from all over the United States.  He was a certified Hostage Negotiator and a member of Boone County SWAT .  He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Organizational Leadership.  Chief Christmann also graduated from the prestigious Criminal Justice Executive Development (CJED) Class #1 in Richmond Kentucky.  Chief Christmann served as the President of the Campbell County Police Chief’s Association from 2016-2019.  Chief Christmann is also the Alcohol Beverage Control Officer for the City of Southgate. He is currently the Northern Kentucky representative for the Kentucky Association of Chief’s of Police (KACP).  He is also on the board of directors for the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society and Museum.

805 Sergeant Danny Johns

Sergeant Johns began his career in November of 1988 as a part-time officer with the Highland Heights Police Department.  He transitioned into a full-time officer on July 1, 1990.  During his career he was promoted to Sergeant in January 1996 and in October 2007, he was promoted to Lieutenant.  He is a graduate of the Criminal Justice Executive Development (CJED).  Sergeant Johns received the Medal of Valor while attempting the arrest of a bank robber who fired multiple times at police in Alexandria.  He also received the award for most DUI’s arrested as well as most seatbelt citations in the department for multiple years.  He retired after 21 years of service in December 2009.  In 2012, when the new Southgate Police Department was formed, Sergeant Johns returned to duty.  Sergeant Johns works directly with the Chief of Police, handling most of the administrative/technology tasks and other duties as required.  He is a certified Small Unmanned Aircraft Pilot (drone).  Sergeant Johns is the direct supervisor of the Patrol Staff.

806 Sergeant Ronnie Gross

Sergeant Gross was born in Harlan County Kentucky and graduated from Evarts High School.  He obtained a degree from Union College and has been involved in law enforcement for thirty-five years.  He is a graduate of the Academy for Police Supervisors (APS).  Sergeant Gross completed the Criminal Justice Executive Development (CJED) training in December 2017.  He has served in Police Departments in Florence, Southgate, and Newport.  Sergeant Gross returned to the City of Southgate in August 2012.  During his career, he has worked in patrol, and investigations, and was a member of the SWAT team for eleven years.  Sergeant Gross has won numerous awards for DUI enforcement and has received numerous letters of recognition for his work while investigating murders, robberies, drug trafficking, and other felony crimes.  He received the 110% award while working with the Newport Police Department. He was also named the Officer of the Year for Newport Police three times.  In 2021, the Southgate John R. Little VFW Post 3186 named Sergeant Gross as Officer of the Year.  Sergeant Gross is currently in charge of all investigations as well as Internal Affairs for the Southgate Police Department.  He also assists in supervising the Patrol Staff as needed.

823 Sergeant Garrett Haynes

Sergeant Garrett Haynes was born in Northern Kentucky and is a graduate of Pendleton County High School. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served overseas on four deployments. Officer Haynes served in Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom as personnel security for high-ranking officials, and in Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom as a criminal investigator. Officer Haynes received numerous awards and commendations while serving in the Marines including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and NATO Medal. Officer Haynes began his law enforcement career with the Erlanger Police Department in 2015 and came to work for the Southgate Police Department in June 2016.  In 2024 he was named officer of the Year by the John R. Little VFW Post 3186. Officer Haynes was the police department canine handler until his partner K-9 Cody was forced to retire in 2024.  Sergeant Haynes’ additional duties include overseeing the Field Training Officer Program, Property Room Manager, Small Unmanned Aircraft Pilot (Drone), and New Hire Recruitment.  He was promoted on September 1, 2024 to Police Sergeant.

819 Officer Dave Lawson

Officer Lawson is a graduate of DOCJT Class 224 from 1991.  He initially retired from the Highland Heights Police Department as a Lieutenant in 2013.  He previously served for several years as the department’s K-9 handler and bike patrol officer and is a graduate of the DOCJT Supervisor Academy.  He received several commendations for his work as a police K-9 handler and Governor’s Awards for DUI arrest.  He previously worked for the City of Bromley and the Cold Spring Police Department.  Officer Lawson started as a part time police officer with the Southgate Police Department in 2013.  He later transitioned into full time with the police department in 2017.

825 Officer Joseph Boyce 

Officer Boyce started his law enforcement career in 1997 with the United States Air Force, as a Security Forces Member. Throughout his military career Officer Boyce performed several duties while serving in Security Forces. These duties included Response Force Member, Elite Gate Guard, Armorer, Military Working Dog Handler and Trainer, and Flight Chief. Officer Boyce served overseas on seven deployments in several countries including Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. He is a graduate of the USAF Airmen Leadership School.  Officer Boyce has been recognized by senior military leadership, including the Secretary of Defense, for outstanding performance, leadership, and dedication to duty. His awards and decorations include but are not limited to five Air Force Achievement Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and one Army Commendation Medal. Officer Boyce retired from active duty in August of 2014 after close to seventeen years of service. After he retired from the Air Force, Officer Boyce was accepted as a cadet in class 92 of the Kentucky State Police. He graduated in 2015 and was assigned to Post 14 and Post 6. While in service to the State Police, Officer Boyce was lauded with several specific contacts for his stellar performance and community service. Officer Boyce started with the Southgate Police in September of 2021.  He was honored by the John R. Little VFW Post 3186 as the Police Officer of the Year for 2023.

828-Officer Charles Boeschenstein

Officer Boeschenstein began his career in April of 2019 with the Campbell County Detention Center. Officer Boeschenstein worked as a sworn Deputy Jailer, receiving different training and certifications. While at the Detention Center, he was involved in many different roles such as a Sergeant, and Field Training Officer, and was part of the Special Response Team. Officer Boeschenstein started with the City of Southgate in December of 2022. He attended and completed a 20-week training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training Center in Richmond, KY, and graduated from Class #538 in May of 2023.

829-Officer Nathaniel Snyder

Officer Snyder began his career in October of 2012 with the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice working with at-risk juveniles. He was promoted to Youth Worker III where he also served as the facility Field Training Instructor (FTI) and Fire Safety Officer (FSO). He received several awards and commendations for his performance such as the 2013 Detention Center Employee of the Year among all facilities across the state and was nominated by the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) for the 2014 Spirit of Youth Award. In 2016 Officer Snyder became a sworn Deputy Jailer for the Campbell County Detention Center where he received training and certifications. He also served as a Public Safety Officer at two of the region’s largest level 1 trauma adult and pediatric hospitals in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2022 Officer Snyder worked for the Kenton County Detention Center as a sworn Deputy Jailer and served as a Field Training Officer (FTO). Officer Snyder received several awards and commendations including a lifesaving award. Officer Snyder started with the City of Southgate in May of 2023. He completed a 20-week training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training Center in Richmond, KY, and graduated from Class #542 in October 2023.

824-Officer Scott Hildebrand (Part-time)

Officer Hildebrand started with the City of Southgate in March 2024.  He is a retired police officer from the City of Cold Spring.  He served in different capacities in law enforcement and retired with over 20 years of service.  He is a small business owner here in Campbell County.

812 Officer Stacey May (Part-time)

Officer Stacey May began his Law enforcement career in February of 1999 with the Kentucky State Police. After graduating from the KSP Academy he was assigned to the Dry Ridge post where he served the citizens of Grant County. Officer May was named Kentucky State Trooper of the year for the Dry Ridge post in 2003. During his career, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in August of 2005. He was promoted a second time to the rank of Lieutenant in November 2013. After being promoted he was assigned to the Bowling Green post as the Operations Lieutenant.  Officer May retired from the KSP in August 2017. He started his second career as a patrolman with the Southgate Police Department in March of 2018.

827-Officer Tim Mitchell (Part-time)

Officer Mitchell started with the City of Southgate in August 2021.  He is a fulltime Fire Fighter/Paramedic with the City of Florence Fire Department.  He is a former police officer with the City of Carrollton KY.   Officer Mitchell is also a certified range instructor, a less lethal instructor as well as a Glock armor and a Taser instructor.

817-Officer Rich Whitford (Part-time)

Officer Whitford is a retired police officer from the City of Ft. Thomas where he served in many capacities including patrol commander and detective.  He retired as the assistant chief.  He is a graduate of the FBI Nation Academy.  He started with the City of Southgate in December 2023.

Police Links

The Southgate Police Department was awarded accreditation by KY Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program in June 2018 for four years.  The City of Southgate and the residents can be very proud!