Wednesday, March 16, 2016
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Howland Police Chief Paul Monroe says he’s “overwhelmed by everything that has happened” since he began running for Trumbull County sheriff last year – including Tuesday night’s defeat of longtime Sheriff Tom Altiere in the Democratic primary.
He doesn’t like to ask for help, Monroe said. But deaths in his family, including that of his father, meant that people were carrying him to the finish line of the campaign.
“My family and friends helped me – not just helped me but carried the ball,” he said. “People want to see change. They have walked practically every street in Trumbull County” to talk to voters, he said. “This victory is theirs more than mine.”
Monroe said Altiere “has done some great things down there, and we will build on them.”
He added: “Hats off to [Altiere] for being in law enforcement 30 years,” adding, “It’s humbling to step into his shoes, but I’m ready for the challenge. I wish him well.”
Altiere did not return a phone call Tuesday night.
An early indication that Monoe might be successful was when he received the Trumbull County Democratic Party’s endorsement over Altiere.
Monroe will have no opponent in the November general election unless there is a write-in candidate.
Monroe, who has been Howland chief 13 years, ran against his former boss when Altiere decided to give up the job. Monroe stayed in the race even after Altiere changed his mind about retiring last year.
Altiere, 66, of Howland has been sheriff for 23 years, having also served as Howland chief from 1984 to 1993.
Monroe didn’t pull any punches in describing what he saw as “political patronage” in the hiring practices of the sheriff’s office under Altiere. Monroe said hiring under his command will focus only on qualifications.
“I’ve made no promises for who my staff will be,” Monroe said. Instead, he will form a hiring committee made up of the best people at each position such as detective, deputy and supervisor, and he will allow them to read the resumes and manage hiring. He will have veto power, though he says he has never needed to use it in Howland.
That strategy has empowered his command staff in Howland to take ownership of the department, he said.
But Altiere and Monroe both agreed that Monroe has no experience in running a jail, which is one of the chief responsibilities of a sheriff.
Monroe wants to expand the Trumbull Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force so that it has the resources and manpower across a multitude of law enforcement agencies in the county to attack the county’s drug problem.
He said he will also evaluate the jobs at the sheriff’s office to eliminate ones that are unnecessary so that additional deputies on the road.
The sheriff’s office services as the primary police department for many of the rural areas of the county.
Monroe wants to establish community oriented policing to “break down the walls between law enforcement and the public.”
Altiere has greatly expanded public access to police reports and jail records in recent years, providing web-based access to the public regarding inmates who have spent time at the jail.
The site has been popular with the public, enabling people to conduct background checks for a variety of purposes, such as evaluating job applicants or renters, Altiere said.
He also formed a partnership with the county’s domestic-violence shelter to intercede more forcefully in domestic-violence incidents deputies investigate. He obtained the overdose-reversal drug naloxone for deputies and has proposed obtaining body cameras for deputies.
“I’ve created new programs. I’ve used new technology,” Altiere said during the campaign.SClB