Austintown leaders celebrate promotion of officer to sergeant

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

Austintown

A veteran officer was promoted to sergeant during a short ceremony Monday.

Valerie Saluga took her oath and was sworn in at the township trustees’ meeting. As a patrol officer, Saluga was the department’s first female road supervisor, said Chief Robert Gavalier.

Saluga joined the Austintown Police Department four years ago and has worked in law enforcement for 12 years.

“Thank you for this opportunity,” she said. “I promise not to disappoint you.”

Gavalier said Saluga ranked first on the written test and the comprehensive evaluation.

Trustee Lisa Oles said Saluga “works very hard for the township and is a professional,” and Trustee David Ditzler said she does an excellent job for the department.

“I’m really happy for her, and for the township to have someone with her experience and credentials,” Ditzler said.

Gavalier also said that Sgt. Jeff Toth secured a grant for an undetermined amount of money to place a prescription drug drop-off box outside the police station.

He said Toth conducts prescription drug drop-offs several times throughout the year, and the new box will allow residents to get rid of their expired and unwanted prescriptions at any time.