Campbell hires first full-time black officer since1974

CAMPBELL

Officer Darrick C. Ball Jr. was surprised when he received the news of becoming a full-time police officer.

“I didn’t see it coming at all,” he said. Ball, who was sworn in last week, is the first full-time black officer hired in Campbell since 1974.

“I just want to have a positive effect on this city, the Valley and the department,” he said.

Now living in Boardman, Ball grew up on the East Side of Youngstown with his mother and five siblings.

“Campbell was right next door,” he said.

Ball played football and track at the old Rayen School. He graduated in 2008 from East High School in Youngstown. He attended the police academy in 2012, and, shortly afterward, worked part time with the Mill Creek Park Police Department. He became a part-time officer for Campbell the following year.

Ball, who has a degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University, said the profession was “something I always wanted to do” for the rest of his life.

Read more about him and his hiring in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.