Austintown to hire 3 more cops, get 5 cars soon

AUSTINTOWN — The township police department is aiming to hire three more officers by March or April, said Police Chief Bob Gavalier.

The department, which is down seven officers from staffing of 43 five years ago, has been building up its force since voters passed a police levy in November.

The department hired one of its auxiliary officers, Jeffrey Churilla, in November.

Auxiliary officers are considered first when it’s time to fill full-time jobs, Gavalier has explained.

He said this week, though, that the four other auxiliary officers did not pass a physical agility test.

Now, 27 other people who have filled out applications will be tested, said Lt. Bryan Kloss. Twenty-one are set to test at Fitch High School Sunday.

Kloss said another test will be set for the rest of the applicants and anyone else who turns in an application in time. The department will never stop taking applications and will look at as many as it can for this round of hiring, he said.

Gavalier said applicants must pass the agility test before the department begins background checks and written, psychological and drug tests.

The chief said it's his intention to bring the department up to 40 officers this year, then review finances with township fiscal officer Michael Kurish for possible additional hirings.

There are 36 officers now, including the chief and six detectives. After the three officers are hired this spring, the department will likely hire someone else to replace an officer who intends to leave, Gavalier said.

The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police says the average ratio of officers to residents for Ohio is 1.7 for every 1,000 residents. According to that formula, Austintown’s 38,000 residents would have 65 officers. The most the township has ever had, Gavalier has said, is 43.

Since the levy passed, the department also has begun replacing police cruisers that have high mileage.

Kloss said a new cruiser should be arriving any day, and three more should be arriving in February.

The department also has ordered another car to replace one that was in an accident Dec. 21, when an officer tried to chase a vehicle that ran a red light at state Route 46 and Mahoning Avenue.

Trustee Lisa Oles said two clerks were recently hired for the department, filling two open jobs there. A part-time dispatcher also was hired, she added.

The department also plans to replace a retiring police dog. A new dog will cost around $10,000, with $5,000 of that donated by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3298.