As CAPTAIN ROBERT BUTLER is the type of leader who believes there is no task too small or beneath his rank. He leads best by showing his willingness to put in the work, whether it be the dirty work of cleaning a cruiser with an officer after an arrest or the day-to-day work of directing traffic on the street. He frequently meets with his officers, seizing every opportunity to mentor and connect with them. Due to retirements and hiring freezes in 2020 and 2021, he took on three administration jobs simultaneously, all while assisting officers out on patrol during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Capt. Butler first made his mark in law enforcement as an expert in impaired driving enforcement. He became a standardized field sobriety test instructor, ARIDE certified, and a drug recognition expert. He instructs at three different police academies and in-service trainings on im-paired driving enforcement. He has been recognized for being a leading DUI enforcer throughout his career and for his assistance in teaching others. He has received several awards for his efforts, including MADD Top Cop Awards in 2013, 2014, and 2015 and MADD Officer of the Year Award in 2016.

In addition, Capt. Butler has built bridges to diverse populations within the community with lasting effects. He has personally coordinated several community outreach programs including Toboggan with a Cop and Fish with a Cop, and he organized the Metroparks’ National Police Night Out. Additionally, he established strong ties with the Cleveland Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brother/Big Sister Organizations, using the resources of the Cleveland Metroparks to connect officers with members of the community.

“My successful career in law enforcement has been built on the principles of leading by example and looking for ways to build trust, respect, and connections with others.”