New Police Chief Hughes wants a larger presence

The dreaded 'hat rule' may return, the new chief says.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- New Police Chief Jimmy Hughes says his emphasis will be the patrol division -- to provide the city with as much police presence as possible.
To do that, Hughes said Wednesday that he's looking at creative ways to free up officers who now respond to nonemergency calls. He said some officers are tied up 45 minutes taking basic reports that could be handled another way.
Hughes, 53, takes over the chief's job from Robert E. Bush Jr. Bush, who will leave at the end of the week, had no comment about his plans.
Hughes, a captain entering his 29th year with the department, said some changes will be made after he takes a look at the entire structure. He doesn't foresee mass changes -- "not everyone will be told to change chairs."
The married father of three said he's excited with Jay Williams as mayor and believes they will work well together.
"He'll hold us accountable," Hughes said of the new mayor.
Policy review
Hughes said there's a need for the police department's general orders to be more specific and he will review the policies and procedures.
He will appoint a new public information officer and will likely permit investigators to comment on cases. The current PIO is Lt. Robin Lees, who is expected to head the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.
Hughes said his goal is to protect the city and reduce and prevent crime. It was hard, he said, to start the new year with two homicides.
"I don't know if there's a blueprint to prevent homicides," Hughes said. "We do an excellent job of apprehending" suspects.
He said the city's homicides occur for diverse reasons, some spontaneous. He wants the police department to be a positive influence and said officers will be on the streets "as much as possible."
The new chief proudly identifies himself as a "golden bear" -- a graduate of East High School. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Youngstown State University and is a graduate of the FBI national academy. He also completed Northwestern University's police management course. He teaches part time at YSU's police academy and would like to continue teaching.
Juvenile division
Hughes' varied police career includes working in narcotics, the juvenile, robbery and detective divisions and Crisis Intervention Unit. He has commanded various units and been a turn supervisor.
Calling on his juvenile division background, Hughes said he likes the concept of a juvenile police academy and intends to work closely with the juvenile court system. He noted that money dictates how much can be done with juvenile programs.
Hughes grinned and said "we'll see" when asked if he would enforce the department's "hat rule." Bush didn't enforce the rule that calls for a pay loss of four hours for officers caught not wearing their hats.
Hughes said he's known for wearing his hat all the time -- "no one tops me." One time back in the 1970s, though, a sergeant caught him without his hat and he lost time for it, the only occasion he ever lost time.
As far as names, it's Jimmy, not James, on his birth certificate. Teachers forced him to write James until the sixth or seventh grade, thinking Jimmy was a nickname.
With a good-natured shrug, he recalled a sergeant who tore up a report he signed "Jimmy" Hughes because full names must be used. No apology was forthcoming after the sergeant saw Hughes' paycheck listed his first name as Jimmy.