Rick Bley started his career in law enforcement with Springfield Township in 1996. Prior to his employment he attended the University of Cincinnati receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. 

Throughout his tenure with the police department, Bley worked as a road patrol officer, a detective assigned to undercover narcotics investigations, and criminal investigations. Bley was promoted to Sergeant in 2001, Lieutenant in 2006, Assistant Chief in 2012, and then Chief on September 1, 2021. 

Currently Bley serves on the Executive Board of the Hamilton County Police Association and was President of that association in 2020 and 2021.

Bley received the Hamilton County Police Chiefs Scholarship in 2012 to attend the University of Cincinnati’s College of Education, where he received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. His extensive leadership credentials include certifications from the Police Executive Leadership College (PELC), Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, and a Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE) through the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.