Police force now has 37 officers

By Elise Franco | February 17, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

The township police department has added its 37th officer.

Austintown Police Capt. Bryan Kloss said the township trustees voted Monday to hire Bradley McFadden, 26, of Niles, as a patrolman.

Kloss said the retirement of Detective Sgt. Ray Holmes in October 2010 allowed the department to hire McFadden, who applied to the department about a year ago.

“We’re happy. We’re pleased the trustees allowed us to replace the officer who retired,” Kloss said. “He just presented himself well during the initial interview and all the way through the process.”

Police Chief Bob Gavalier said McFadden’s hire puts the force at 37 officers. In 2002, the department had 45 officers and in 2009, 40, Gavalier said.

McFadden said he’s pleased to join Austintown, a department he’s heard only good things about.

“Everything I’ve heard has been all good. It’s a very professional environment,” he said. “I’ve been aspiring to get into a department that conducts itself in that manner.”

McFadden has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lake Erie College and a master’s in criminal justice from Youngstown State University. He’s a graduate of Niles High School, Kloss said.

McFadden “is well-educated, and were looking forward to him doing the job for us,” he said.

The starting wage for a patrolman is $21.71 per hour during his first year on the force, which is a probationary period, the captain said. He then will make $22.93 per hour.

Kloss said for the first few weeks McFadden will spend most of his time training and reviewing procedures.

“As of right now, he’s spending the first week to two weeks reviewing and testing on policies and firearms and defensive tactics training,” he said. “He’ll then be put on the road with training officers for about three or four months.”

MacFadden said his long-term goals include promotion to a management position, but for now he’s content with the job at hand.

“I’d like to have some type of management position here someday, but for now, I’m exciting about being here and being able to serve the public here in Austintown,” he said. “I want to do my duties and put forth 100 percent effort every time I come out to do my job.”