Ada Police Department
Protecting and Serving Ada, Ohio Since 1861
Alec J. Cooper
Chief of Police
Ada is a G.R.E.A.T. Agency
Gaining and Growing Respect, Engagement, Accountability and Trust
The Ada Police Department has a staff of 11 full and part-time police officers who provide 24-hours per day safety and security services to the residents, students and visitors of Ada, Ohio.
Our officers are Ohio Peace Officer certified and are continually training to maintain a high degree of preparedness and professionalism. Our officers receive generalized and specialized training each year to keep up with the demanding challenges and changes of modern law enforcement services.
Chief Alec Cooper began his law enforcement career dispatching for both the Village of Ada Police Department and the City of Kenton Police Department in 2010. In 2011 Chief Cooper was appointed the position of Patrolman for the Village of Ada, after receiving his associates degree in criminal justice from Rhodes State University. Chief Cooper served the Village until 2016, when he became a Patrolman for the City of Delphos, promoting to Sergeant in 2017. In 2023 Chief Cooper came back to the Village of Ada, and was appointed Chief of Police. In his law enforcement career Chief Cooper has received several awards including the 2014 Ada Officer of the year, numerous Mothers Against Drunk Driving awards, and a Departmental Commendation from the City of Delphos.
Chief Alec Cooper
Sgt. John Iten
Sgt. John Iten began his career with the Ada Police Department in February of 2016, coming from the Spencerville, Ohio Police Department after graduating from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. Sgt. Iten is an Army Veteran. Sgt. Iten was promoted to the rank of sergeant in January of 2022.
Sgt. Aaron Crawford began his career with the Ada Police Department in April of 2021 having recently served as a sergeant with the McComb Police Department. Sgt. Crawford has approximately 13 years of prior police service and is a firearms instructor as well as a previous K9 Handler. Sgt. Crawford was promoted to the rank of sergeant in January of 2022.
Sgt. Aaron Crawford
Ptl. Michael Bollinger
Ptl. Mike Bollinger is a 21-year veteran of law enforcement having served the Village of Ada since 2000.. Ptl. Bollinger is a graduate of First Line Supervisor Training in 2002 and Supervisory Training and Education Program in 2010 and from Police Executive Leadership College in 2013. Ptl. Bollinger was our Employee of the Year in 2012. Ptl. Bollinger is a Marine Corp Veteran.
Ptl. Andrew Peterman
Ptl. Andrew Peterman began his career with the Ada Police Department in April of 2013 having recently graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. Ptl. Peterman received the Ada Police Department Employee of the Year in 2022 for his dedication to the department and thoroughness in his duties. Andrew serves as the departmental evidence and property custodian.
Ptl. James Beltz
Ptl. James "Zac" Beltz began his career with the Ada Police Department in January of 2022 having graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 2021. Ptl. Beltz was previously employed with the Spencerville Police Department and served as a Volunteer Firefighters with the Ada/Liberty Township Fire Department.
Det. Courtland Fowler
Det. Courtland Fowler began her career with the Ada Police Department in November of 2018 having graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 2018. Det. Fowler was previously employed with the Perry Township Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. Det. Fowler was appointed Detective on January 10, 2023.
Ptl. Victoria Sturgill began her career with the Ada Police Department in January of 2020. Ptl. Sturgill currently serves as one our third shift officers.
Ptl. Victoria Sturgill
Ptl. Penny Keller-Clark
Ptl. Penny Keller-Clark began her career with the Ada Police Department in May of 1989 and is the longest serving officer on the department. Ptl. Clark was the Employee of the Year in 2007 and 2019, and the only part-time employee to receive this award, and the only police officer to receive this honor 2 times. Ptl. Clark received the prestigious Chief's Award in 2023 for her outstanding work in regard to community relations.
Ptl. Jason Snipes
Ptl. Jason Snipes began his career with the Ada Police Department in August of 2021 having graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 2020. Ptl. Snipes was previously employed with the Cridersville and Spencerville Police Departments. In August of 2022 Ptl. Snipes took a full-time position with the Wapakoneta Police Department, but remains as a part-time officer for the Ada Police Department.
Michael Harnishfeger
Michael Harnishfeger is a 37-year veteran of law enforcement having served over 28 years as a police chief in Ohio, beginning his appointment as Ada’s police chief in 2001. Michael is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College in 1996, was designated as a Certified Law Enforcement Executive in 2001, graduated from the 235th Session of the FBI National Academy in 2008, and the Rural Executive Management Institute in 2011. Michael was active in the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and served as president of the OACP from October, 2010 to September, 2011. While president of the OACP, Michael lead the initiative in Ohio to mandate training for any new police chief; an act that was finally signed into law by Governor Kasich in 2017. Michael is assisting Chief Alec Cooper in his transition back to the Ada Police Department until his official retirement in the middle of 2023.