Mahoning sheriff’s captain moves to YSU to serve as its police chief

Staff report

Youngstown

A Mahoning County Sheriff’s department captain is the new Youngstown State University police chief.

John Beshara, a 24-year law-enforcement officer, was selected from three finalists and 18 applicants to succeed Jack Gocala, who retired last month after 20 years in the job. He starts the new job Monday.

Beshara, of Boardman, will earn $85,000 per year.

“Capt. Beshara brings to the YSU Police Department a wealth of experience and knowledge and a stellar reputation in law-enforcement circles throughout the region,” YSU President Cynthia E. Anderson said in a news release. “As a YSU graduate and a lifelong resident of Mahoning County, Capt. Beshara is committed to making the university and the surrounding community a safe place to learn and live.”

Beshara earned his associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees at YSU and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

The YSU Police Department employs 22 full-time and 140 part-time commissioned officers.

At the sheriff’s office, Beshara is officer in charge, responsible for law enforcement, corrections and administrative functions, work assignments, conducting internal investigations, responding to emergency incidents, strategic planning and policy management, hiring, employee evaluations and discipline.

He also has served as a child-abuse investigator and a member of the Crisis Response Team, Violent Crimes Task Force and Fugitive Task Force. He has worked on several dignitary security details, developed the physical-fitness test for the sheriff’s office, founded the Shop with a Cop program for the sheriff’s office and served as president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 141.