FAMILY TRADITION New chief follows his dad's example

The new chief grew up in Poland Township.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Township trustees are bringing in the new but keeping ties to the old.
Trustees, in a 3-0 vote, have appointed Sgt. Brian Goodin the new police chief. He will take over the position effective Tuesday.
Goodin's father, Lee Goodin, was a founder of the department and the township's first police chief in 1977. He served as chief until he was demoted in 1987. The elder Goodin was reappointed chief in 1990, and he served until 1991.
Brian Goodin has been a member of the township police department for 14 years. He also was a patrolman in Beaver Township and at Youngstown State University. He was at one time a security guard at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
The chief's position became vacant in January when trustees declined to reinstate Chief Carl Massullo. At that time, trustees said Massullo had done a good job but it was time to take the township in a different direction.
Massullo will remain with the department as a part-time officer. He is on a one-year leave of absence.
Initially, 14 people applied for the chief's position. Trustee Robert Lidle said an advisory board put together by trustees and made up of residents suggested the position be filled by someone in the department.
What impressed trustees
Goodin, Sgt. Gary Abeid and Detective Sgt. Anthony Sferra were the only department members to apply for the position. Trustees, however, said they were impressed with Goodin's ideas about police work -- greeting residents with a handshake and smile, and intermingling with the community, especially the youths, on a nonconfrontational basis.
They said the ideas are a throwback to how Goodin's father operated as an officer.
"The decision we made is what we felt was best for the entire department and the community as well," Lidle said.
Trustee Mark Naples said trustees will expect the new chief to show up for youth sporting events and even choir practice. He said there will also likely be an increase in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and officer presence at schools and local businesses.
Naples said Goodin detailed the ideas to trustees in his pitch for the position.
Goodin said that he has always wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and that the community is not too big for everyone to know the police officers.
"I grew up in Poland, and you kind of knew everybody back then. There has been a big growth spurt since then, but I want everyone who doesn't know us to be able to have the opportunity to get to know the police department," the new chief said.
Trustees set a salary range of $52,000 to $57,000 when the position was advertised. Goodin will be paid $57,000 annually.
jgoodwin@vindy.com