The City of Bowling Green has selected Justin White, the current deputy police chief, as the 14th chief of the Bowling Green Police Division. White will succeed current Police Chief Tony Hetrick who has announced his retirement from the force in May 2025.
White started his career at the Police Division in 2001. Prior to his promotion to deputy chief in 2015, he served as a patrol sergeant for three years, detective for five years, and patrol officer for six years.
Throughout his career at the division, he has served in various capacities such as field training officer, hostage/crisis negotiator, narcotics detective, general detective and patrol sergeant.
White holds a bachelor’s and master’s of criminal justice degree from Tiffin University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Ohio Certified Law Enforcement Executive program, the Police Executive Leadership College, and The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs Public Safety Leadership Academy.
He is currently serving as the vice president of the Wood County Law Enforcement Executives (2015-Present), and a member of the Supervisors Training and Education Program committee for the Law Enforcement Foundation Inc.
In addition, White has a strong community service presence. He has served on the Bowling Green Community Foundation (2019-2025), the Bowling Green School Foundation (2016-2022), and the Bowling Green Human Relations Commission (2018-2022). He has also been a coach and official in various community sports programs over the past 20 years.
White has been married to his wife, Anna, for 20 years, and together they have four children.
“I am pleased to appoint Justin White as Bowling Green’s next police chief,” Mayor Mike Aspacher said. “Deputy Chief White has prepared exceptionally well for this role and will continue the work of outstanding professional policing in Bowling Green. I am confident that his experience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Police Division, city, and community will uphold the BGPD’s high standards of excellence and accountability, while also ensuring strong collaboration as the community progresses and evolves.”
White will assume his new role on May 5.
