NILES Cops pay their share for department study


May 3, 2003 at 12:00a.m.


Once the city approves the spending, consultants will begin on-site visits.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Personal contributions will cover the police officers' share of a review of their department.
Officers collected $4,800 and presented it to the city Tuesday to cover half the anticipated costs of the review by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, said Officer Shawn Crank.
City officials agreed to call in the association to conduct a performance review of the police department, but only if the officers were willing to share the expense.
Rather than using union money or funds from the Fraternal Order of Police, the department's social organization, donations were collected from individual officers, Crank said.
Most officers chipped in a minimum of $200.
The money was given to Auditor Neil A. Buccino, who will have the money deposited in the city's coffers. The city will then pay the full amount of the study.
The spending must be approved by the city's board of control, which consists of Buccino and Mayor Ralph A. Infante. The board was set to meet today.
Infante has already approved a list of services provided by the Chiefs of Police Association, which will only be able to make recommendations for changes. The suggestions are not binding.
Other reviews
The group has conducted similar reviews in other local departments, including Liberty and Howland townships.
In each case, the organization recommended removing the chief.
Once the association is brought in, both sides will be able to approve the choice of consultants and present their arguments.
The consultants will make on-site visits and present detailed written reports of their findings.
Officers requested the study several months ago, citing low morale and ongoing disputes with Chief Bruce Simeone.
Councilman Stephen Papalas, who spearheaded the push for the study, met with representatives of both sides as well as other councilmen to try to resolve the issues, but no agreements were reached.
slshaulis@vindy.com