New OPD officer sworn in, income discrimination ordinance passed

The Oxford City Council welcomed a new member to the Oxford Police Department (OPD) and adopted an ordinance aiming to remove income discrimination for those seeking housing during a meeting on Nov 4.

New OPD officer

The OPD swore in a new officer Tuesday.

Chief John Jones officiated the swearing-in ceremony, which introduced Lincoln Wolf, a Napoleon, Ohio, native to the community.

Wolf, a U.S. Army veteran, served in a variety of positions during his service as a field artillery specialist, operations personnel manager and a recruiter. 

After 12 years in active duty, Lincoln decided to enlist in the army reserves and worked in military intelligence.

Recently, Wolf graduated from the Butler Tech Police Academy and has been training and studying with the OPD. 

Wolf’s badge, number 54, was presented to him by his girlfriend.

“(Being) a police officer is a family affair,” Councilor David Prytherch said. “Anyone who supports a police officer is, I think, in service to the City of Oxford.”

Income discrimination

During the meeting, the council voted to adopt an ordinance to help remove income discrimination for those seeking housing. 

The ordinance, discussed by Oxford Area Solutions for Housing (OASH) in an October meeting,  prevents housing providers, including owners, lessors, sublessors, assignees, managing agents and representatives, from legally refusing rent or lease of a property to an individual based on income. 

For the second reading of the ordinance, the city added definitions for income, which now includes emergency assistance, veterans’ benefits and disability benefits. 

According to Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene, the city will now need to develop procedures for the policy. 

The Oxford City Council will meet next on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.