Officer added; 7 others honored

By Denise Dick

Officers making up the street-crimes and narcotics-enforcement units were among those honored.

BOARDMAN — Trustees swore-in the township’s newest police officer and honored the work of seven others.

Paul Poulos, 28, of Youngstown, was sworn in as a new officer, the first since 2006. His first day on the job will be June 7, said police Chief Patrick Berarducci.

Poulos, who recently graduated from the police academy at Kent State University, completed two tours of duty with the Army in Iraq, where he earned the Bronze Star.

Seven officers received proclamations at the special trustees meeting Wednesday.

“We used the opportunity of swearing-in a new officer and fallen police officers week to recognize the work that police officers do every day,” said Larry Moliterno, trustees chairman.

“Even though we’re shorthanded, we want people to know that they’re out there every day.”

Sgt. Glen Riddle and Patrolmen Gerald Kamensky, Richard Romeo and Jonathan Martin received recognition for their work with the department’s Street Crimes Unit. Riddle leads the unit.

The officers “have assisted in the arrests of hundreds of fugitives and violent criminals as members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Youngstown the past two years,” the proclamation says.

The Street Crimes Unit also has been responsible for the investigation of burglary and robbery crimes committed in the township since 2007, making more than 125 arrests in those cases.

“In 2007, there were close to 350 fugitive arrest warrants outstanding in the department,” Berarducci said.

“They’ve gotten that down to less than 50.”

Another proclamation honors Sgt. Michael Hughes and the department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit.

“Since 2003, Sgt. Michael R. Hughes and the officers of the NEU are directly responsible for the township receiving over $688,738 in seized drug assets taken from drug dealers in the Mahoning Valley,” the proclamation says.

Since 2000, the unit has been responsible for the arrests of more than 987 people for drug crimes helping to “stem the flow of illicit drugs in Boardman,” it says.

A third proclamation recognizes Patrolman Glenn Patton and Officer Michelle Glaros and Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Russell, who investigated the 2007 theft of a motorcycle from Rockne’s, U.S. Route 224.

That investigation led to several search warrants at a suspect’s home and business and the recovery of many stolen motorcycles, vehicle parts, tools and equipment.

The value of the items exceeded $100,000.

denise_dick@vindy.com