YOUNGSTOWN Police chief confirms plan to retire in spring

A woman or minority in the top spot would be a first for the city.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- It's official. Come spring, Mayor George M. McKelvey will need a new police chief.
"I want to join my wife in retirement," Chief Richard Lewis said Thursday. "I've been kicking this retirement around. After 38 years, it's time to go."
Lewis said he will retire at the end of March or beginning of April, depending on what the pension board recommends.
As it stands, Lewis has no plans for another career but hasn't ruled out working again. "Who knows, I might get bored to death," he said with a chuckle.
Mayor reacts: McKelvey said he feels bittersweet about the chief's departure. He's sorry to lose Lewis but happy that the veteran officer will now have time to play golf and enjoy his family.
"I hope I'm as lucky the second time around," McKelvey said. "It's a very difficult position to fill in light of our history of corruption in the Mahoning Valley."
He said police chief, sheriff and county prosecutor are the key positions. If one is corrupt, the community won't improve.
McKelvey called Lewis the "best of the best." The chief sent a loud and clear message that he had zero tolerance for crime, the mayor said.
McKelvey said it's common knowledge that Lewis would arrest his grandmother for jaywalking.
No barriers: McKelvey said that in choosing a new chief, there will be no glass ceiling in the process, no barriers to race, creed or color. The mayor will advertise locally and statewide but will be receptive to applicants from within the department, which he said has outstanding officers.
There's the very real possibility that the city could have its first woman or minority chief, McKelvey said. He said that whomever he picks will have unquestionable integrity.
Law Director Robert E. Bush Jr.'s name cropped up in downtown circles when Lewis' decision to leave became official. McKelvey said he had heard the same buzz, adding that Bush hasn't expressed an interest.
His background: Lewis has been chief since January 1998, when McKelvey took office.
He joined the department in July 1963 and earned promotion to sergeant in 1971, then lieutenant in 1977. Before becoming chief, he spent 18 years as head of the department's Internal Affairs Division.
meade@vindy.com