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Chief Dennis Hanwell, class of 1975, is police chief for the City of Medina. Chief Hanwell and his family were founding members of the Brunswick Reformed Church. He served as a leader in the youth group while in high school and was later elected to Consistory positions of both elder and deacon at the church on a number of occasions.

He attended Akron University and earned an associate degree in criminal justice. He worked as a special deputy for the Medina County Sheriff’s Department, attending the Medina County Career Center where he graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. He was hired as an officer for the city of Medina in 1983 and attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol Basic Academy. He is currently completing his final requirements for his bachelor of criminal justice degree from Tiffin University.

Chief. Hanwell serves as president of the Medina County Police Chiefs Association, is past chairman of the Medina County Drug Task Force Operating Board, is chairman of the city of Medina traffic safety committee and is a member of both the Ohio and International Associations of Chiefs of Police. He has been invited many times as a guest speaker and has written articles for national law enforcement publications. He was also awarded the President’s Award of Merit by the Ohio Crime Prevention Association in 2002.

Hanwell is married to Christine (Pavelschak BHS 1977) and they have two children, Jon and Nicole.