Youngstown’s new police chief will not need a learning period

Capt. Rod Foley has been a part of law enforcement in Youngstown long enough to know that its reputation as a cauldron of crime not only affects the psyche of the residents, but undermines economic revitalization efforts.

Thus, one of Foley’s main tasks as the new chief of police will be to change the culture of the department so the men and women in blue are viewed as community assets. There is a need for greater police presence on the streets of the city, especially in the high-crime neighborhoods, and a rebuilding of trust with the black population.

Foley, who was appointed chief Wednesday by new Mayor Charles Sammarone, has been with the department since 1991. He has been a patrolman, worked on the community-oriented police-services unit, the neighborhood response unit, was vice squad commander, staff inspector and most recently chief of detectives.

But it’s more than just his r sum that appealed to Sammarone, who was sworn in as mayor Aug. 1 to fill the unexpired term of his predecessor, Jay Williams.

“I like his thoughts on accountability, he doesn’t make excuses and his philosophy is similar to mine,” the former president of city council said. “I wanted someone to go in there with the intention of getting things done. Foley really stood out. He is well-qualified.”

The mayor’s philosophy can be summed up thus: The taxpayers are the bosses of city government employees and have a right to expect quality service — even in an old city with a declining population and deteriorating neighborhoods.

Sammarone is also free to shake City Hall by its foundation because he won’t be running for election in 2013 when the term he is now serving expires. Without the worry of political retribution, the mayor has the ability to get things done — by stepping on toes, if necessary.

The new police chief should use that attitude to his advantage. His predecessor, Jimmy Hughes, turned out to be ineffective because he was too much of a police department insider.

Police visibility

Foley says that one of his main goals is to increase police visibility in the community. That should win the support of advocates of community police — foot patrols in neighborhoods are an effective public relations tool — which has long been sought by residents.

In an editorial marking Sammarone’s elevation, we discussed the selection of police chief in the context of the short period of time he will be in office. We acknowledged that a national search was unrealistic because of the condensed time frame. We said, “Sammarone’s best bet, therefore, is to look within the department. There are some police officers who have the leadership skills and the law enforcement experience to take on the monumental challenge of changing Youngstown’s reputation as a crime ridden community.”

Capt. Foley, who will become the city’s top cop on Sept. 1, has the leadership skills and law enforcement experience to give the people of the city what they have been craving for years: A sense of security.

We are aware that Foley’s non-residency will be an issue for some, but his commitment to fighting crime is just as strong today as when he was a city resident.