Ashland Mayor Appoints Curt Dorsey as New Chief of Police
ASHLAND, OH — Ashland Mayor Matt Miller announced Monday that Detective Lieutenant Curt Dorsey has been selected as the city’s next Chief of Police, succeeding Chief Dave Lay, who will officially retire on January 30, 2026.
Dorsey brings nearly two decades of experience within the Ashland City Police Division. He joined the department in 2006 as a full-time patrol officer and was later appointed as a Field Training Officer in 2008. In 2017, Dorsey was promoted to detective, followed by advancement to the rank of sergeant in 2019. Most recently, in 2024, he was promoted to Detective Lieutenant, a role in which he currently oversees a squad of officers and five detectives.
Throughout his career, Dorsey has served in a variety of leadership and specialized roles, including time as a union representative and as a member of the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force. He also currently serves on the local Sexual Assault Response Team and the Heartland Technical Education Center Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
Dorsey’s service has been recognized with multiple honors. In 2024, he was named the Ashland City Police Division’s Supervisor of the Year. He is also a two-time recipient of the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Award for Outstanding Dedication to Victims.
A graduate of Shelby High School, Dorsey earned his college education from North Central State College.
Mayor Miller will formally swear in Dorsey as Ashland’s new Chief of Police on Friday, January 30, at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Ashland Municipal Building, 206 Claremont Avenue, in the City Council Chamber.
Chief Dave Lay’s retirement will mark the conclusion of his tenure leading the department, as the transition ushers in a new chapter for the Ashland City Police Division under Dorsey’s leadership.
