Eligibility list for Warren police chief awaits certification

Staff report

WARREN

The Warren Civil Service Commission is expected to certify the eligibility list for Warren police chief Wednesday.

Certification is the last step before Lt. Eric Merkel is sworn in as chief in June, when Chief Tim Bowers retires.

The commission meets at 8 a.m. in the Data Processing Department behind City Hall on Mahoning Avenue Northwest.

Merkel scored highest on the test among four candidates. Lt. Robert Massucci and Lt. Martin Gargas tied for second, and Capt. Janice Gilmore was fourth.

The commission also is expected to certify the eligibility list for captain of the Warren Police Department.

Merkel also scored highest on the captain’s test, with Massucci second and Gargas third.

Captain is the next highest rank behind chief. Warren’s police department has three captains, and vacancies are expected.