Boardman plans to hire two new police officers

By Denise Dick

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

At least two new police officers are expected to hit the township streets this fall.

Administrator Jason Loree said interviews wrap up Monday and he expects he and Chief Jack Nichols to make a recommendation to trustees next month.

Township trustees previously announced a plan to hire two police officers per year beginning this year and continuing through 2014 for a total of 10.

Larry Moliterno, trustees chairman, hopes that the receipt of a $524,246 grant through the U.S. Department of Justice Office Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program speeds that process along.

“With the COPS money, we’ll definitely be hiring two,” he said. “If we can work it out, hopefully, we can hire two before that.”

The township expects to receive the federal money by October, Moliterno said.

“We’re going to have to assess where we are financially,” he said.

While the grant is good news, the township still faces financial constraints. The township recently learned it will see a roughly 20 percent increase in health-care costs this year, Moliterno said.

“We have to make a decision about how we’re going to move forward,” he said. “We’re going to get through this year, but there are still issues with the economy and increasing costs we can’t control.”

Receipt of the grant doesn’t change trustees’ ultimate goal of 10 officers by 2014. It just means that number will be reached more quickly, he said.

Officers who retire or resign within that time will be replaced, Moliterno said. A veteran officer has announced he plans to retire in August.

The team conducting interviews of prospective police hires includes Loree, Nichols and the two police captains.

Under Civil Service rules, the two officers hired must come from a list of the top 10 candidates.

The top 10 is determined based on scores on a written test with points added for completed college courses, military service and completion of Ohio Police Officers Training Academy training, Nichols said. Applicants also must pass a physical agility test.

Even after they’re hired, the new cops won’t be on the road independently for awhile. Each new officer must complete training, working with more experienced police.