43
Ingram sworn in as Austintown’s first black officer
By Elise Franco
Austintown
Curtis Ingram made history as the first black police officer hired to the township’s police force.
Ingram, of Indianola Avenue in Youngstown, beat out 97 other applicants and was sworn in during the township’s trustees meeting Monday as the 37th full-time officer of the Austintown Police Department.
Starting salary for a patrol officer in Austintown is about $45,000, said Michael Kurish, township fiscal officer.
Former Trustee Warren “Bo” Pritchard commended the board for the hire.
“It’s really a historical moment here because this is our first African- American police officer,” he said. “I really think what you’ve done is a tribute and a reflection of this community.”
Police Chief Bob Gavalier acknowledged the significance of the hire but said Ingram’s employment is based solely on his qualifications and performance during the interview process.
He said applicants must pass a background check, drug test, physical and mental exams and written and oral interviews.
At just 25, Ingram already has a great amount of law-enforcement experience.
Ingram said he has worked as a part-time officer with the Youngstown State University Police Department and has been at his current job as a part-time officer for the Campbell Police Department for more than a year.
Ingram also worked for two years as a parole officer and did work at a youth treatment facility.
Capt. Bryan Kloss said the South Side native more than deserves the job.
“We talked to various contacts at his previous positions, and everyone put him on a pedestal,” Kloss said. “His superior at his present job said Curtis is the go-to guy, and he comes very highly recommended.”
Ingram said he looks forward to upholding the high expectations Austintown officers face.
“I got a chance to talk to a lot of guys in law enforcement, and they told me that Austintown is a great place to be,” he said. “So my goal is to be the best patrolman that I can be coming into this job.”