POLICE MATTERS Cortland mayor says city will not fill vacant captain's post

The former police captain is scheduled to appear in court next week.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- Mayor Curt Moll says the police captain's spot will remain vacant despite the resignation of the ranking officer, who faces an impaired-driving charge.
"We'll try to deal without another member of supervision for now," the mayor said Thursday.
Capt. Stanley Lancey, a 22-year department veteran, resigned effective Aug. 13. There is one captain on the force under the police department's staffing ordinance.
A hearing is scheduled for Lancey at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Trumbull County Central District Court here. He faces one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and failure to control.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol alleges that Lancey drove a cruiser into three mailboxes along state Route 46 early March 31. He has pleaded innocent.
According to the patrol, Lancey failed a field sobriety test but passed a breath-alcohol test. Further testing showed narcotics in his system -- two tranquilizers and an antihistamine, police said.
Council action
City council on Monday moved to a second reading an amendment to the police staffing regulation that would permit the city to hire a full-time patrol officer, rather than hiring a captain to fill the ranks.
Moll said the amendment could be approved as an emergency by lawmakers during their Sept. 6 meeting
Lancey has been using vacation time and sick leave since the crash so he could get paid while remaining off the job.
Moll praised Lancey's work in the community and accepted his resignation with regrets.
"He decided it was the best thing for him to do, and I can't second-guess that," the mayor noted.
yovich@vindy.com