POLAND TOWNSHIP Former police chief will remain with force as a part-time officer

Massullo was granted a leave of absence.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Carl Massullo is no longer chief of police in the township, but he will remain a member of the police department.
Township administrator James Scharville said Massullo will remain on the department as a part-time police officer. Trustees and Massullo agreed to the move Tuesday.
Trustees, at a reorganization meeting earlier this year, decided not to reinstate Massullo as the township's police chief, a position he held for 12 years. He had worked part time for the department before that.
Township officials said they were looking to make a few changes in how the police department operates. No other explanation has been given for the change in command.
Sgt. Gary Abeid will serve as interim chief. Abeid has been with the department since 1987.
Massullo was paid an hourly rate of $29 and benefits, including a car allowance. His new part-time position pays $12.17 per hour.
Massullo, according to Scharville, had four weeks' vacation time coming when he was removed as chief. Trustees agreed to pay him cash for the vacation time. The time will be bought at the lower part-time rate of pay.
Leave of absence
Massullo will be a part of the police department, but he may not be seen in uniform for some time. He asked trustees for a leave of absence of up to one year "to pursue other business interests and other opportunities."
Township officials have now begun the search for a permanent police chief. Scharville said the search will be focused on the immediate area.
"We are not doing a national search. With nine full-time officers, four part-time officers and two civilian employees we are not going to spend $50,000 for a national search," he said.
The criteria, however, will be listed on the township's Web site and the Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Web site. Scharville said the sites have the potential to reach interested law enforcement officers outside the area.
The criteria for the position includes 10 years' experience, supervisory experience, background check and a physical and physiological tests. The salary range is $52,000 to $57,000 plus "a generous benefits package."
jgoodwin@vindy.com