YPD adds four new officers

June 21, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The police department added four officers Tuesday.

Taking the oath of patrol officer were Jennifer Hudson, 28, of Youngstown, a deputy at the Mahoning County Sheriff’s office; Jason Sletvold, 41, of Boardman, who was a full-time officer in Lisbon and a part-time Youngstown State University police officer; Thomas Phillips, 23, of Austintown, who was a part-time officer with the Poland Village Police Department; and Kylee Simmons, 28, of Beloit, who worked full time for Sebring.

The four will receive training before hitting the road with a training officer next week, before being given a beat. Training is expected to last about four months, Chief Robin Lees said.

Sletvold, Phillips and Hudson are graduates of the police academy at YSU. Simmons is a graduate of the University of Akron.

Sletvold said he thinks his life experience will help him in his new job. He once worked for Lear Corp. in Lordstown before being laid off, then got his degree from YSU at 39. Being a police officer is something he has always wanted to do, he said.

Hudson, daughter of former 2nd Ward Councilman Rufus Hudson, said her father’s involvement in city government got her interested in serving residents.

Phillips said he has wanted to be a police officer for as long as he can remember and he likes Youngstown because there are lots of chances for different assignments for a young officer.

“This has been a dream,” Phillips said.

Simmons said she likes Youngstown because “there is a lot of opportunity for growth.” She said she is motivated by her son, Ayden, 5, who was at the ceremony with her.

“I want to be a good role model for this guy,” she said.

Lees said the hires bring the department to 154 officers.