Chief solicits input on police candidates

By Denise Dick

Such information could be used to alert the department to a potential problem.

BOARDMAN — The first of the township’s new police officers are expected to be on board early next year.

Passage last month of a 2.2-mill police and fire levy allowed the township to recall six of nine furloughed firefighters and hire up to 10 new police officers. The six recalled firefighters returned to work within days of last month’s election.

The levy generates $2,078,924 annually.

Police Chief Patrick Berarducci said the township’s civil service commission recently certified a list of 21 candidates eligible to be considered for the police jobs.

The commission reports that of the 30 candidates on the police eligibility list, only 21 people replied to the certification notice.

Civil service rules and regulations, however, require the commission to certify a list of 25 names for the appointment of between nine and 12 vacancies.

With the current list of 21 names, the commission is now required to administer an entry-level examination to get at least nine additional candidates. The current list is adequate to fill five to eight positions.

Berarducci is asking the public to provide information about the 21 candidates on the eligibility list.

“It could save us a heck of a lot of money if someone calls and tells us” about any potential problem with a candidate, the chief said.

Such information could be used to alert the department to a potential problem.

The information will be investigated and potential officers will be asked about it, using a voice-stress analyzer.

“All this is, is a pointer to potential issues that we should check out,” Berarducci said. “We’re not going to use an unfounded allegation to ruin a career.”

Information should be sent to the chief through the mail at Boardman Police Department, 8299 Market St., Boardman 44512 or by e-mail at pberarducci@twp.boardman.oh.us.

Jason Loree, township administrator, said he hopes to phase in the new hires in six-month intervals, with the first three being hired by February or March. The next three would be hired about six months later, he said.

Berarducci, however, wants to hire as many officers as possible who meet requirements and pass background checks.

“We will immediately begin the process of selecting the eight officers that our list will support, and with a little luck, the new list will be available when we need the last two candidates to be selected,” Berarducci said.

Though the township’s financial crunch didn’t cause any police officer layoffs, 11 officers who have left the department either through retirement or attrition since 2006 haven’t been replaced. Another two officers are to retire in early 2009.

With all of the resignations and retirements, the hiring of 10 officers would increase the total number of police to 57. If finances permit it and trustees approve, Berarducci hopes to hire an additional five to replace those who have retired or resigned.

“That would get us to 62 — one less than when I got hired” in late 2006, he said.

denise_dick@vindy.com