Grant enables officer’s callback

One officer also returned to duty after being on sick leave since July.

STAFF report

WARREN — After eliminating more than 20 officers in the past 13 months, the police department is adding one.

The police department was notified Feb. 1 that it is approved for a “Team Trouble” grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services of $27,400 annually for three years. Mayor Michael O’Brien and Police Chief Tim Bowers said Friday this gives the department sufficient money to increase staffing by one officer.

The city laid off 20 police officers effective Jan. 1, 2009, to offset a budget deficit, reducing the number of officers from 81 to 61. Since then, two officers have left the department and not been replaced.

Bowers, however, received permission to replace Patrolman Patrick Hoolihan, who is leaving the department soon for another job. That allows Bowers to bring back one of the 20 laid-off officers.

The Team Trouble grant will allow Bowers to bring back a second one.

A letter to Mark Hynes was mailed Tuesday notifying him that he is eligible to return to active status as a patrolman. Hynes has until Feb. 21 to respond to the letter. If he doesn’t accept the job, the next person on the list will be notified, Bowers said.

Sgt. Michael Albanese also returned to active duty Friday after being on sick leave since July, Bowers said.

The city was approved last year for a Team Trouble grant of $118,822 per year for three years. The city will use that money to retain three officers for three years.

The Team Trouble grant is designed to give departments such as Warren’s the ability to target a specific trouble spot or to serve arrest warrants for things such as failure to pay fines or failure to appear for a court hearing.

The city also was granted $201,777 per year for three years through the U.S. Department of Justice. That money also will be used to retain three officers.