Chief Nick Dolbin of the Timberlake Police Department has received official recognition from the State of Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel signed a certificate honoring Chief Dolbin for 16 years with the Timberlake Police Department.
The certificate was issued in the name and by the authority of the State of Ohio and bears the Great Seal of the State of Ohio. In it, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor join Chief Dolbin’s colleagues in congratulating him on his years of public service in Timberlake.
What the State of Ohio Recognized
The certificate describes Chief Dolbin as an asset to three groups throughout his career: the Timberlake Police Department, the coworkers who have worked beside him, and the citizens of Timberlake. It closes by thanking him for his dedication and offering best wishes for many more successful years.
Recognition from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor is a formal acknowledgment of service at the state level. For Nick Dolbin, it marks a milestone in a career built around public safety in Ohio.
From Sergeant to Chief in Timberlake
Nick Dolbin now serves as Chief of the Timberlake Police Department. Before taking on that role, he served the department as a police sergeant, overseeing patrol officers and serving as a TAC Officer and a member of Command Staff. He was also a Field Training Officer and an instructor for Taser, semi-auto pistol, shotgun, and rifle.
His law enforcement career has also included roles with several other agencies. He began as a police officer with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, patrolling a subsidized housing complex. He later served as a Commander with the Amsterdam Police Department and as a police officer with the East Cleveland and Geneva on the Lake police departments.
As Administrative Sergeant for the MetroHealth Police Department, he was responsible for areas including dispatch, field training, in-service training, policies and procedures, recruitment, and grants. He also served as a 911 Operations Supervisor for Cuyahoga County, supervising call-taker shifts for a system that handles 8,000 to 9,000 calls a day and overseeing AMBER Alerts.
Over the course of his career, he has received honors including Rookie of the Year in East Cleveland, a Department Commendation, a Youth Community Award, and recognition from MADD for OVI enforcement in Cuyahoga County. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Labor Relations from Cleveland State University and has taken courses in Executive Management Leadership at Ashland University.
Community Service and Department Recognition
Community service has been a consistent part of Chief Dolbin’s work. He has received awards for Community Youth Service and for Gun Safety Outreach with the United States Attorney in Northeast Ohio.
With the MetroHealth Police Department, he supported the MetroHealth Advocates for Community and School Safety, a committee that advocates for treating gun violence as a public health issue. He and fellow officers helped distribute free gun locks and demonstrated how to secure a weapon and install a lock.
The department he now leads has also been recognized for its work in the community. In January 2026, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police named the Timberlake Police Department its Department of the Month for outstanding community service.
Continuing to Serve Timberlake
The State of Ohio’s recognition reflects years of service to the Timberlake Police Department and the people it serves. As Chief, Nick Dolbin continues to lead the department and its officers in their work for the residents of Timberlake.