43
Up to 40 apply for MetroParks police chief post
Photo
Sitting in his office, L. Nathaniel Pinkard is retiring from Mill Creek Police as the former Chief.
By Jon Moffett
YOUNGSTOWN — The search for a new Mill Creek MetroParks police chief is going well, said Dave Imbrogno, executive director.
“We’re very happy with the results so far,” he said. “We have some very good candidates, and I think we should have a choice soon.”
Imbrogno said the park system received 35 to 40 applications to fill the position left by the retiring of L. Nathaniel Pinkard. The former police chief served the park police more than 25 years and was named chief in 1992. He retired last month.
Imbrogno said the park system has reviewed in-house and outside applications and is in the process of finalizing a list. He said he expects to a have a final list soon and will bring in a few candidates to tour the park facilities and meet with the staff.
Imbrogno said he expects to name someone to the position within two weeks.
“We’re bringing a couple of candidates in so that they can meet the staff and because we want out staff to have some input,” Imbrogno said. “We’ve had a tremendous diversity of applicants with a variety of backgrounds both out of and in-house.”
Imbrogno said the new chief will need to be able to handle a police force with an “extra twist.”
He explained the park system’s thought process on the perfect candidate.
“First and foremost, is a good police background,” he said. “After all, we have a police department, and the MetroParks are incredibly safe because of our police force.”
All applicants have a traditional police background, he said, but others have worked in other law fields. Some of the candidates have worked in schools, and one candidate has experience in a metro parks system, he said.
Imbrogno said the MetroParks police — 14 full-time and 20 part-time officers — have a strong tradition. He hopes the new chief, like Pinkard, continues the tradition.
jmoffett@vindy.com
Candidates | Police chief finalists
The Mill Creek MetroParks system has narrowed the candidate pool to eight finalists.
Outside candidates
Christy Hank: Cleveland MetroParks
Jerold Green: Mahoning County Sheriff Office
James Zindroski: Cleveland Schools Safety and Security Department
James Holt: Ohio State Highway Patrol
John Beshara: Mahoning County Sheriff Office
In-house candidates
Randy Campana
Bruce Emery
Eric Shipsky
Source: Mill Creek MetroParks