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Struthers swears in new police chief
By jeanne starmack
struthers
The city has a new police chief.
Roy T. Roddy, 44, was sworn in Monday morning. He is taking over for Robert Norris, who is retiring. Norris’ last day is Friday.
“It’s going to be hard to get used to being up during the day,” said Roddy, who has worked the midnight shift for the last 20 years.
But he’s ready to jump into his job.
“There’s a ton of stuff that needs to be updated — technology,” he said.
He also said he wants to begin programs that involve the community more and would like to see police talking more to residents to “get to the bottom of problems.”
“We have a very good police department, so I’d like to build on it,” he said, reiterating that it’s important to work with the community. “It’s not just arrests and convictions, but it’s quality-of-life issues.”
Resolving issues between older residents and teenagers is one example, said Roddy, who has coached baseball at Struthers High School since 1996 and football at Struthers Middle School since 1994. He said knowing how to talk to teenagers is important.
He also said he intends to attend more city ward meetings, becoming “the face of the police department.”
He’s well-liked and respected by the people,” said Mayor Terry Stocker. “He brings a good balance of experience that will benefit the department and the community.”
Roddy has been with the department since 1984, starting as a reserve. He was appointed patrol officer in 1987 and became a captain in 1994.
He and his wife, Cheryl, have two children — Tim, 17, and Allie, 14.
He became chief by scoring highest on a civil service exam, which he took with two other captains May 13.
He will lead 14 officers.
Also taking the exam were patrolmen who wanted to move up to captain. Officer Dan Mamula, 39, scored highest and will be promoted. Mamula has been with the department for 15 years. He has served as a detective and a juvenile officer. He was assigned to the U.S. Marshal’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
Roddy and Mamula are also past Fraternal Order of Police presidents.
Stocker said the city does not intend to fill the patrol officer position left open by Mamula’s promotion right away. He said the city is waiting to make sure revenues don’t decline. It may fill the position in October.