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Boardman township promotes five police officers
BOARDMAN
Five officers raised their right hands and vowed to faithfully discharge their duties.
For all five, the oaths marked a step forward in their careers with the Boardman Police Department.
Township officials this week swore in the five officers who were promoted up the ranks. The retirements this year of police Capts. Don Hawkins and Don Lamping prompted the wave of promotions.
Edward McDonnell was promoted to captain; John Paul Allsopp and Richard Balog were promoted to lieutenant; and Jonathan Martin and Michael Sweeney were promoted to sergeant. Earlier this year, Albert Kakascik was promoted to captain as well.
In a ceremony this week, Police Chief Jack Nichols noted the transitional period through which the department is going. Nichols, too, will be retiring at year’s end. Todd Werth, who is retiring as head of the local Federal Bureau of Investigation branch, will take over the job in January.
“The whole organization is going through a big transition, and I think the important thing to note is that it seems to be happening pretty seamlessly,” Nichols said.
In addition to praising the promoted officers, Nichols commended the officers who were in the running for promotions but were not selected. He urged the trustees to approve those officers for promotions in the coming years when opportunities arise.
Nichols also praised the entire department for the way it operates, especially given its size. With 63 officers, the township police department is larger than many others, he said.
“All the stuff that’s required of big police departments, it is required of Boardman Township,” he said.
“We do a good job day to day, and it’s because of you guys,” he added.