2 newly promoted Warren police supervisors take oaths

WARREN -- Mayor Doug Franklin said the two promotions Friday to the upper ranks of the Warren Police Department are "personal" for him because he remembers hiring now-Capt. Bryan Holmes and now-Sgt. Pete Goranitis when they began their careers in Warren.

Franklin said he could tell leadership was going to be in Holmes' future when Holmes was still a young patrol officer.

"I am very proud of your integrity that you bring to the department, that you bring to our community. Thank you. This is a great day. We are very pleased."

Franklin said Holmes graduated from the Youngstown State University Police Academy in 2004 and began his career with the Warren Police Department Sept. 27, 2004.

Goranitis graduated from the Kent State University Police Academy in 2012 and began his career with the Warren Police Department June 19, 2013.

"His years of service reflect his commitment to the department and to the citizens of Warren," Franklin said.

He said Goranitis was "one of those young, enthusiastic patrolmen when he joined this department. His dedication -- and I saw it in action -- when he was in the field did more from a personal standpoint to promote police-community trust, just the way he interacted with the community, particularly our youth."

Franklin said he remembers Goranitis playing football with kids, and there was a nice photo of it. "But that just sort of exemplifies the dedication, the hard work, the set of values you bring to this department."

Acting police Chief Rob Massucci said a third officer will be promoted Sept. 21 -- Mike Sajnovsky to lieutenant. Sajnovsky is on vacation this week. Massucci said Holmes, Goranitis and Sajnovsky were the top scorers on the civil service exams for the positions of captain, lieutenant and sergeant that opened up because of Captain Jeff Cole's retirement in April.

Holmes takes over as captain in charge of the patrol division. Sajnovsky will be lieutenant over the day turn patrol division. And Goranitis will be the sergeant in charge of the afternoon shift.

Conducting the swearing in ceremony was Warren Service and Safety Director Eddie Colbert. A large section of the Warren City Council Chambers was filled by current and former Warren police officers there in support of the new police department supervisors.