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Sardinia Today
By the People, for the People
Sardinia Leaders Halt Heated Police Audit Meeting
Mayor Ashlie Webster called the emergency session to address allegations against top police officers.
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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An emergency council meeting in the Village of Sardinia was abruptly adjourned after allegations against the police chief and a lieutenant sparked tension and confusion. Mayor Ashlie Webster had called the meeting to request an internal audit and outside review of the police department, but no votes were taken and the meeting ended without any formal actions.
Why it matters
In small communities like Sardinia, where everyone tends to know each other, audits and outside reviews of local government departments can have significant political and financial consequences. The mayor's call for an investigation raises questions about oversight and transparency in the village's police force.
The details
Council members and a current Sardinia police officer raised concerns about the village police chief and a lieutenant, prompting Mayor Ashlie Webster to call the emergency session. Webster told the board she had received a recommendation to bring in an outside investigator and asked council to approve a full internal audit of the police department. The meeting grew heated, but Webster ended it without any decisions, stating the allegations did not meet the threshold to immediately place any officer on administrative leave.
- The emergency council meeting was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.
The players
Ashlie Webster
The mayor of the Village of Sardinia who called the emergency meeting to address allegations against top police officers.
Village of Sardinia
A small village that straddles Brown and Highland counties in Ohio.
What they’re saying
“a lengthy but fair and transparent process”
— Ashlie Webster, Mayor (Local 12)
What’s next
With no formal vote taken, village leaders ended the emergency meeting without setting a follow-up date. Residents who filled the room walked out with unanswered questions about oversight and transparency, and the mayor's call for an audit now leaves the next move in the hands of the council.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges small communities like Sardinia face in balancing transparency, accountability, and the political consequences of auditing local government departments. The mayor's call for an investigation raises questions about oversight of the police force and the village's ability to navigate a sensitive situation without further dividing the community.
