Police-chief test date to be set

By Ed Runyan

A written test will be used to select Warren’s next police chief.

WARREN — The Warren Civil Service Commission will set a date sometime in early August for qualified police department employees to take the test to be the city’s next police chief.

It is too soon, however, to know which candidates will take that test, said Atty. James Fredericka, a commission member.

The three-member commission met Wednesday to establish procedures to be followed for the exam and formally appoint Capt. Tim Bowers as acting chief.

Before the test can be given, the city will post a notice for 10 days offering the two eligible police captains — Bowers and Tim Roberts — the opportunity to express an interest in the job.

Bowers has said he will apply, but Roberts has said he will not.

Fredericka said the commission must give Roberts the opportunity to apply first before moving to the next step.

If only Bowers applies, then on May 27, when the commission meets again, it will open the testing to additional candidates, meaning that lieutenants will be allowed to compete for the position, Fredericka said.

Gary Cicero, human resources director, said only four of the six lieutenants would be eligible for the test because two of them don’t have the required time as a lieutenant to qualify.

The four with eligibility are Catherine Giovannone, Tom Skoczylas, Joseph Marhulik and Gary Vingle.

Additionally, Capt. Janice Gilmore, who doesn’t have enough time as a captain to qualify for the test as a captain, would have enough time to qualify as a lieutenant, Cicero said.

Fredericka said candidates will be given recommended materials to study and will be given a written test prepared by Daniel T. Clancy & Associates of Cleveland.

Bowers was appointed acting chief April 3 — the day after former chief John Mandopoulos began sick leave. Mandopoulos eventually resigned over allegations that he had ordered an officer to improperly search Cicero when Cicero came to the police station for a meeting in November.

Mandopoulos will remain on sick leave until Aug. 10 and then retire.

Meanwhile, the commission also will give a test in early August for the position of assistant fire chief to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Assistant Chief Gary McBride.

The commission, which also includes the Rev. Frank Hearns and John DiCenso, received a letter from Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin and Auditor David Griffing, saying the city will make additional layoffs effective June 1 because of continuing declines in income tax revenue.

The letter doesn’t say how many layoffs it will seek or in what departments.

Firefighters have said the city has asked them to take concessions or face the loss of an additional 15 firefighters to layoff in June.

The city laid off 11 firefighters, 20 police officers and eight employees in other departments Jan. 1.

runyan@vindy.com