×

Police chief sworn in

Trustees say goodbye to Monroe, hello to Roberts

122816...R OFFICIAL 1...Warren...12-28-16... Newly elected Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe, 2nd from left, introduces his family at the Oath of Office Ceremony Wed. morning at the Trumbull County Courthouse...From left, wife, Tina Monroe, Paul Monroe, son Taylor Monroe and daughter Krista Monroe..by R. Michael Semple

HOWLAND — It was a bittersweet evening Dec. 21 as the township said goodbye to one police chief and hello to another.

Assistant Chief Nick Roberts, with his wife, Susie, at his side, took the oath of office from Trustee Rick Clark before a packed community room.

Roberts officially began his $72,000-a-year job Jan. 2, the day Chief Paul Monroe became Trumbull County sheriff.

Monroe said Roberts essentially ran the police force for the past year as the chief campaigned and won the sheriff’s job, defeating incumbent Thomas Altiere in the March Democratic primary.

Monroe, who had no opposition in the Nov. 8 general election, was sworn in as sheriff Dec. 28.

The incoming police chief presented Monroe with a plaque honoring him for his 29 years of service to the township, including 13 as chief.

Township Administrator Darlene St. George said there was no doubt who would be Monroe’s successor.

“We had a conversation one Friday, and I said it would be an honor if trustees would select me to be their chief,” said Roberts, who had his family present for the swearing-in ceremony.

Trustee Matthew Van Such said officers wrote him a letter asking that Roberts be selected as chief. Roberts, meanwhile, had some promises for his officers.

“I will have your backs,” he said. “You have a tough job there out on the streets. I know what you go through to keep them safe for the people of Howland.”

Meanwhile, some officials showed emotions saying goodbye to Monroe.

“I know you will do the same kind of job for the people of Trumbull County that you did here in Howland,” said Clark, who gave the outgoing chief a bear hug.

St. George fought back tears as she praised Monroe for his job, which included taking the police budget out of the red.

“We know you are needed in Trumbull County,” she said.

Monroe, who also had family members in attendance, had to fight back tears as he thanked the trustees for their support.

The township also said goodbye Dec. 21 to longtime firefighter Frederick Stosik, who worked in the police department for several years before joining the fire department.

Stosik had more than 30 years of service with the township and 50 years in EMS service. Trustees said he touched many lives over those years and the township will miss him, but they also wish him well in his retirement.

Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Logan administered the oath of office Dec. 28 to the new sheriff, who was among a host of officeholders sworn in during the hourlong ceremony in Logan’s courtroom.

The new sheriff will have a seasoned staff of top deputies and said he is excited to get started as the third Trumbull County sheriff in 40 years. Altiere, who served for 24 years, also was honored by Trumbull County commissioners.

Monroe, who was accompanied by wife Tina and children Taylor and Krista, said his new chief deputy will be Lt. Joseph Dragovich of Canfield, who served 24 years in law enforcement, most recently as a district lieutenant for the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Monroe tapped two local lawmen to be majors — Girard police Chief Jeffrey Palmer will be head of sheriff operations, while Warren police Lt. Dan Mason, who headed that department’s internal affairs, will be come administrator of the jail.

Mason, who as about a quarter century of law enforcement experience, said he will start work for the sheriff in about two weeks after giving his notice of the city.

Palmer, who has almost 28 years in law enforcement, became chief in Girard in March 2009.

The new sheriff said he’s looking for a smooth transaction in heading the office with a staff of about 140, which includes jail correction officers, court security and road deputies.

“I will keep my door open,” Monroe said. “I will be the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers. I will also tell you that if I don’t know something, I will try to find the answer.”

During November county budget hearings, Monroe heard county Auditor Adrian Biviano say department heads will have to trim their 2017 budgets by 5 percent because of revenue cuts. This may put an early damper on Monroe’s plans to put more deputies on the road.

“We are going to be looking at grants and streamlining things as much as we can to avoid layoffs,” Monroe said.

Both Logan and St. George said they are confident Monroe will find a way to balance the budget and still do the most efficient job as sheriff.

“He likes to get things organized and he is an intelligent person with an excellent staff,” Logan said.

St. George said she worked with the new sheriff for almost 20 years and she will miss his calm, understated manner and efficiency.

Monroe said he has been drawing up plans for becoming sheriff for two years. After being elected, he was sent for Ohio Peace Officers Association training with some 20 other new Ohio sheriffs. He said he will go back to the state capital for another week of training in February.

“I look to reach out to other sheriff’s from around the state,” said Monroe, who noted that sheriffs from Mahoning County and Ashtabula County were in the courtroom for his oath taking.

Meanwhile, Altiere told the small gathering in the commissioners’ hearing room that it was wonderful serving the people of Trumbull County. When asked what he was going to do during retirement, the outgoing sheriff provided a one-word answer.

“Relax.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today