Rob Hickman is a life-long resident of the City of Port Clinton and began his law enforcement career in 1981 as a reserve officer with the Port Clinton Police Department. In 1988, he obtained a full-time position with the department. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1997. On February 10, 2011, he was appointed as Chief of Police and retired on June 29, 2021. 

​

Rob has had the pleasure of working with four canine partners throughout his career as a canine officer/handler/trainer spanning over 32 years. He has been a member of the Ottawa County Special Response Team for 10 years along with two of his canine partners. 

​

Rob became a member of NAPWDA in 1990 and attended his first NAPWDA State Workshop in Bethlehem, NY in 1991. He attended his first National Workshop in Fort Wayne, IN in 1992. In October of 1993, he became an Assistant Ohio State Coordinator, and currently still holds that position. In 1994, Rob became an Accredited Canine Trainer and in 1997 became an Accredited Master Trainer in Narcotics/Utility. In June 2000, he was nominated and elected as National Vice President and currently serving his 5th term in that position. In October 2002, he became the Equipment Chairperson, and currently still holds that position.  

​

Rob became a Canine Narcotics and General-Duty Canine Evaluator in 1992 for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. In 1993, he became an Adjutant Faculty Instructor for Canine Related Topics. He has since 1999, continued to serve as an OPOTA Subject Matter Expert in regards to Canine Related Topics.  

​

After 40 years in law enforcement, Rob’s future plans are to utilize his years of experience in K9 at Shallow Creek Kennels as an instructor. 

​

Rob is married to Roseann, and together they have four sons, and eight grandchildren.