Former chief of police to retire

Liberty police will operate with two captains, the chief said.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Police Capt. Michael Pilolli, who was the center of controversy as township police chief, is retiring.
On Monday, township trustees accepted Pilolli's Dec. 31 retirement. Pilolli, a 25-year member of the department, served as chief from 1997 to 2001.
Pilolli, 53, worked as a part-time officer from 1974 to 1977. He was promoted to sergeant in 1989 and to captain in 1996.
In March 2000, the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and Fraternal Order of Police called on township trustees to fire Pilolli as chief.
An OPBA representative at the time charged that Pilolli was out of control and a major reason for problems on the force.
Critical report
Pilolli quit as chief in April 2001 in the wake of a highly critical report by the state police chief's association.
The report, released by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, which conducted the study, recommended that trustees remove Pilolli.
The review found there was a rift between Pilolli and his department. It determined the department was rife "with organizational dysfunction" and criticized how policies were explained and training carried out.
Anthony Slifka was named the new police chief in August 2001. Pilolli was assigned by Slifka to head staff services.
Two captains
The department will have two captains -- James Cerenelli and Janet Virostek -- when Pilolli leaves. Virostek deals with juveniles and Cerenelli with operations and investigations. The department will continue with two captains, Slifka explained.
Slifka said that Virostek will assume Pilolli's duties but that she is going to have surgery in January and will be on sick leave for four months.
The decision of who will be in charge of juveniles has not been made, he added.
Patrolman suspended
In another matter, trustees suspended patrol officer R. Keith Trittschuh for one day.
Slifka said Trittschuh made an error in judgment by allowing a police academy student to ride in a township cruiser.
Also during the meeting, trustees accepted the retirement of township secretary Shirley Landy effective Dec. 31.
Landy has worked in that job for 15 years. Before that, she was a secretary for 15 years at Liberty schools.
Life-saving equipment
It also was announced that Slifka and Fire Chief Michael Durkin will be sending letters to township businesses soliciting funds to buy five heart defibrillators for the patrol cars. Slifka said the units, which cost about $2,700 each, will be bought in cooperation with the American Heart Association.
He explained that the defibrillators are needed because of the large number of motels and restaurants in the community.
yovich@vindy.com