The Athens police chief has been a part of the department for the past 13 years, and colleagues maintain they are nothing but lucky to have Tom Pyle on the force.
“Pyle and I talk on a regular basis and have a lot of collaboration,” said Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers. “He is one of the best chiefs I’ve gotten to work with. He cares a great deal about everyone else and certainly makes my job a lot more fun.”
Pyle first joined the force in 1989 as a patrol officer when he began working in the field, gaining significant experience alongside fellow officers. Pyle said it was the experience of working in the field that he missed most as he continued to move up in rank.
After spending 10 years as a lieutenant, he was then promoted to captain in 2004 before being named chief in 2011.
Powers said he and Pyle created the Joint Police Advisory Council, which encourages collaborations between their departments, during a car ride.
“He has an understanding of Athens that I don’t have,” Powers said. “We frequently bounce ideas off of each other, and we get a lot of work done.”
Pyle said the part of his job he looks forward to the most is getting the chance to work with others to solve problems.
“I look forward to that every day,” Pyle said. “I admire everyone I get to work with.”
One of the hardest parts of the job is talking to an individual about an issue the department wasn’t able to resolve in the way they had wanted.
“We have to explain why things happened a certain way, and they get very upset,” Pyle said. “That is one of the hardest parts of the job.”
Pyle said the most bizarre incident he ever had the chance to witness was so outrageous he couldn’t allow it to be printed in the paper.
Powers, on the other hand, had one specific incident that came to mind when thinking about fun stories involving Pyle.
“We share a standing joke on who has the faster unmarked car,” Powers said.
“There was a pursuit going on during Palmer Place Fest last year, and we decided to check it out. His car just couldn’t keep up; he was slightly embarrassed, and we have had a running joke ever since. I mean, we drive the exact same model.”
Pyle said he didn’t remember the specifics of the incident other than that the two tagged along far behind, making sure everything was safe.
“I know mine is a hybrid, and it’s a lot punchier than you would think for a four-cylinder engine,” Pyle said. “We both felt somewhat odd driving hybrid Ford Escapes in a police chase. Not exactly the souped-up police cars we are both used to driving.”
Much like Powers, Athens Police Capt. Ralph Harvey enjoys working with Pyle. He has been working with Pyle since he first joined the department in 1996.
“He is an excellent chief, extremely knowledgeable and flexible,” Harvey said. “He gives me a task and isn’t on top of me while I’m working on it. He really gives you some room.”
Harvey said quite a bit has changed since Pyle took over as chief. Internal policies, a changed mission statement, remodeling, and quite a bit of new equipment are just some of the things that Pyle has put his stamp on.
Both Pyle’s and Harvey’s fathers worked together during the late ’70s and early ’80s for the OUPD.
“It’s family tradition around here,” Harvey said. “It gives us a different perspective.”
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