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Lowellville police chief on leave after woman alleges beatings and threats
By Sarah Lehr
LOWELLVILLE
Lowellville Police Chief Richard Jamrozik has been placed on paid administrative leave after a 39-year-old woman filed documents with Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, claiming Jamrozik beat her on multiple occasions.
The court granted a temporary protection order Tuesday against Jamrozik.
Mayor James Iudiciani Sr., acting on the advice of village Solicitor James E. Lanzo, placed the chief on leave pending an investigation.
Iudiciani said the police department’s two captains will fulfill Jamrozik’s duties while he is on leave.
According to the woman’s protection-order petition, Jamrozik threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the beatings. She claimed Jamrozik worked for the county coroner’s office at the time of the incidents – and that he told her he could make her “disappear” and “knows how to cover it up.”
The woman’s petition states she used to live with Jamrozik.
“I am scared for my life and my family,” the woman wrote.
Jamrozik did not respond to requests for comment.
He became Lowellville’s full-time police chief in November 2015 after serving as chief in an interim capacity. He worked as an investigator for the coroner’s office between 2002 and 2015.
The woman also wrote in the petition she reported a recent domestic-violence incident involving Jamrozik to the Campbell Police Department.
Campbell Police Chief Drew Rauzan told The Vindicator the woman contacted his department July 8. Rauzan would not specify whom the complaint was against. He also declined to say whether the incident involved alleged domestic violence.
Rauzan said the woman’s report involved “a crime that may have been committed in the city of Campbell” that “may have involved a public official.”
Rauzan declined to release any police reports, citing an ongoing investigation by the department. Rauzan said the department would pass the investigation on to an outside agency if the Campbell department’s investigation determined the allegation to be credible.
Rauzan said the department does not have a formal policy regarding investigations involving law-enforcement officials from nearby agencies. If an investigation involves a member of the Campbell Police Department, however, Rauzan said it is policy to send that investigation to an outside agency.
Jamrozik is set to appear for a hearing at 8 a.m. July 26 in Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court.
Among other restrictions, the temporary protection order requires Jamrozik to turn over any deadly weapons and his concealed-carry license.
Atty. Dave Betras, who represents the woman, said, “My client is fearful for her life. She is afraid of a man who has a badge and gun.”