2 officers join Warren police force

The new officers will spend their first nine months with training officers.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two new officers join the ranks of the city police force.
William Franklin, the city's safety-service director, swore in Michael Dado, 25, of New Castle, Pa., and Bryan Holmes, 23, of Hanoverton, outside city hall Friday morning.
"We will now start the orientation process," said Chief John Mandopoulos.
It's an intensive week covering various aspects of policing, he said.
The city initially planned to hire four new officers after conducting background checks and administering polygraphs. All four of the candidates also underwent an eight-hour psychological examination administered by Dr. Mary Myers, an Akron psychologist who is also a retired Akron police captain and professor at the University of Akron.
"The psychologist recommended these two officers," said Mayor Michael J. O'Brien.
He declined to comment further regarding the other two candidates.
"It's the most intensive psychological testing in the history of the city," O'Brien said.
The tests cost about $300 each, the chief said.
"It's money well spent," the mayor said.
The process to hire additional police has already started, he said.
Related matter
In promoting renewal of the city income tax for the police and fire departments, O'Brien pledged to hire 10 officers to bring the department to 84.
Voters renewed the 0.5 percent income tax in an August special election.
O'Brien said it will take at least a few weeks to complete the background checks, drug screening and interviews.
Dado, a former adult probation officer in Lawrence County, and Holmes, a former part-time Goshen Township police officer, will spend nine months each with training officers, working various shifts.
The training officers will evaluate the new officers. They will have three months on the job alone to complete the yearlong probation period.
Mandopoulos said he's not disappointed that two rather than four officers were hired. He recommended Myers' testing for candidates because it's designed specifically for police officers, he said. Previously, candidates underwent a standard psychological evaluation, the chief said.
Mandopoulos said he advocates annual psychological testing for all police officers.
denise_dick@vindy.com