Chief Opha Lawson was hired by the Newcomerstown Police Department in 2013 as a part-time Patrolman. In 2016 Chief Lawson became a full time Patrolman and in 2022 he was promoted to Captain.
Chief Opha Lawson was appointed by Mayor Pat Cadle in January 2023, to take over for retiring Chief Gary Holland.
His past law enforcement experience includes West Lafayette Police Department (2005 – 2010) where he was a Corporal, and Frazeysburg Police Department where he was a Patrolman. Chief Lawson’s got his start in Law Enforcement in Newcomerstown as a Patrolman from 2003 – 2004.
Prior to Newcomerstown Police Department, Chief Lawson worked in distribution centers in the Columbus, Ohio area.
Chief Lawson is a 1999 Graduate of Ridgewood High School. In 2010 Chief Lawson earned his Associates of Arts – Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix and in 2013 earned a Bachelor of Science – Business Management / Human Resources degree from the University of Phoenix.
Chief Lawson resides in Coshocton, Ohio with his wife Lana, two daughters Ella and Oona and son Luka.
