Warren Sgt. Thaddeus Stephenson also to serve Kinsman as police chief
Thaddeus Stephenson to run township department
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KINSMAN -- Warren police Sgt. Thaddeus Stephenson expanded his patrol area after being installed as the township's new police chief.
Stephenson will continue to serve in Warren but also handle the part-time chief duties in Kinsman.
Stephenson was sworn in at Monday's township meeting. Attending the ceremony were his family, friends and members of the Warren Police Department and the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office.
"I appreciate the support my family and the trustees have shown me," Stephenson said. "I look forward to the challenge. I will give it my best."
Trustee Greg Leonhard said Stephenson was selected from three applicants, including one internally. Stephenson will be paid $26,000 annually.
He said trustees interviewed Stephenson twice and knew he was the one.
"We all agreed that we had found our guy," Leonhard said, noting all three candidates were qualified.
Former chief Shawn Rentz retired in June.
Trustee Jamin Banning said trustees have confidence that Stephenson will do a good job serving Kinsman.
"This a great community to serve. I can't wait to be a part of it and to really get in there and connect with the residents here," Stephenson, who has worked 20 years with Warren police, said.
Stephenson said he wants to get to know the residents and address their concerns. He said he will begin today in Kinsman and start getting a feel for the township police department and the community.
He will work on scheduling more officers.
"I am starting from ground zero here and look forward to getting started," Stephenson said.
He said he also will work with the sheriff's office, which also patrols the township.