Chief Leo Ehrisman of the Ocean Pines Police Department resigns.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(June 8, 2023) Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola released a statement Wednesday announcing the retirement of Police Chief Leo Ehrisman who was placed on administrative leave in January.

“Chief Leo Ehrisman gave notice of his retirement today,” the statement said. “We thank him for his years of service to Ocean Pines and wish him well. A search to find his replacement is commencing immediately.”

Ehrisman was put on paid administrative leave Jan. 1 after county law enforcement authorities and members of the state’s attorney’s office began an investigation of a possible burglary at a department storage shed on Dec. 17.

According to a statement the Ocean Pines Association released at the time, Viola was notified on Dec. 31 of a burglary reported at the shed on Dec. 17.  He, in turn, consulted with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Office of the State’s Attorney to set up an independent investigation.

The effort resulted in putting Ehrisman on leave as of Jan. 1 and bringing in a commander from the sheriff’s office to oversee the department and “a complete audit and inventory of the contents of the storage shed and the property room.”

No further information has been released from the audit or inventory at this time.