Valley group backs police chief

The Boardman FOP lodge sent a letter of support to the chief last month.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- The Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association has been added to the list of supporters of Chief Jeffrey Patterson.
The association, made up of more than 40 chief officials of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, addressed its letter to township trustees and citizens.
"We have voted to publicly support" Patterson "and wish to make it clear to the residents of Boardman and their elected officials our position."
Girard Police Chief Frank Bigowsky, association chairman, signed the letter on behalf its membership.
"I think we all agreed that we would like to publicly acknowledge our support for him," Bigowsky said.
Earlier letter
The association's letter of support follows the township department's Fraternal Order of Police lodge, which sent a letter of support and confidence to Patterson last month.
Both letters come on the heels of a letter of reprimand approved by trustees Robyn Gallitto and Kathy Miller and issued to Patterson for personal use of township equipment. The chief was accused of e-mailing pages of law school notes to his township computer and printing them to study during lunch. Trustee Elaine Mancini voted against that reprimand.
The letter says that Patterson, a former president of the association, has brought new ideas and "visionary direction" to law enforcement during his tenure.
"He is a role model to a lot of other police chiefs in the area," Bigowsky said.
Patterson is viewed by his peers as a "consummate professional and a man of integrity," the association's letter said.