Bruce Hoffbauer was sworn in as Assistant Chief of West Chester Police during the Jan. 14, 2025 meeting of the West Chester Board of Trustees. Trustees approved his appointment at the same meeting.
Hoffbauer joined the West Chester Police Department as a captain in 2021, but he had already served 34 years in law enforcement in Hamilton County and City of Cincinnati.
“After retiring from City of Cincinnati as a lieutenant, I was still very much interested in being a police officer. I had a lot to offer still,” Hoffbauer said.
When Hoffbauer retired from Cincinnati Police in 2020, he was drawn to West Chester by how great the community looked and the way the community embraced law enforcement. West Chester has exceeded his expectations.
West Chester Police Chief Brian Rebholz said Hoffbauer has, throughout his career, a proven track record of building trust with citizens and business owners; and is a great fit for this new leadership role.
Hoffbauer has a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and completed the Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers’ Course. His commitment to law enforcement, however, began at a young age as the son of a police officer.
“This is such an honorable profession and I am humbled to accept this new role helping to lead the exceptional men and women of the West Chester Police Department,” Hoffbauer said. “West Chester continues to attract the best candidates in the field because our standards are high and that will not change.”
Hoffbauer’s appointment is effective Jan. 15, 2025.
Watch the pinning ceremony on West Chester TV (starts at 4:35).