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Lowellville police chief resigns after agreeing to protection order
By Sarah Lehr
LOWELLVILLE
Richard Jamrozik is slated to resign as Lowellville’s police chief after the Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court granted a five-year civil-protection order against him Wednesday.
A 39-year-old woman filed documents with the court in July, alleging Jamrozik, her ex-boyfriend, beat her on multiple occasions and threatened to kill her.
The order, which extends through Aug. 10, 2021, prohibits Jamrozik from being within 500 feet of the woman and from possessing a gun.
Though the order is a civil matter, violation would be a criminal offense.
“My client is very distraught,” said Atty. David Betras, who is representing the woman. “She just wants to be left alone, and this order ensures she will be left alone.”
Atty. Gerald Ingram, who is representing Jamrozik, declined to comment.
Both Jamrozik and the woman appeared with their attorneys Wednesday before Magistrate Thomas Dawson. Jamrozik agreed to sign a consent agreement and waive his right to a full hearing.
Betras said Jamrozik tried to contact the woman through another person after the court granted a temporary protection order against him July 12. Dawson reiterated Wednesday that prohibited contact includes communication through third parties or social media.
Acting on the recommendation of Mayor James Iudiciani Sr., Lowellville Village Council approved the appointment of Jamrozik as full-time police chief in November 2015.
Jamrozik worked as an investigator for the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office from 2002 to 2015 and has been working for the Coitsville Police Department on a part-time basis.
Jamrozik called Iudicianci on Wednesday morning and said he planned to resign from his position as Lowellville’s chief, the mayor said. As of Wednesday evening’s village council meeting, Jamrozik had not yet submitted his formal letter of resignation. During that meeting, council convened in executive session to discuss “personnel.” Executive sessions are closed to the public.
Coitsville Police Chief Michael Morris also said Wednesday that Jamrozik plans to resign from his part-time position.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, a division of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, opened an investigation into Jamrozik in May at the request of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. That investigation into alleged criminal conduct is still ongoing, an Ohio Attorney General’s Office spokeswoman said Wednesday.