Published: Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Incoming police chief faces vacancies
The new chief says he'll first evaluate the workload and deployment of officers.
By DENISE DICK
BOARDMAN — Township officials will let the incoming police chief decide how to deal with vacancies in the department.
"That discussion will occur with Patrick [Berarducci] when he comes on board to see what he believes the staffing should be," said township Administrator Jason Loree.
Berarducci, the new police chief, is to start the job Tuesday.
Two patrolmen and one sergeant have resigned in recent weeks amid criminal and administrative investigations, bringing to four the number of vacancies in the police department.
One spot has remained open after a Youngstown patrol officer hired by the township last summer quit after about a day on the job.
Loree said Tuesday that another officer also is expected to retire in the coming months.
Berarducci said it's too early for him to know whether he'll recommend filling positions.
"I'll have to evaluate calls for service and how we're deployed," he said.
He's met with some members of the department since accepting the position in late December and plans to meet all officers when he starts the job.
"My gut tells me we'll need a few more people," he said. "How many? I don't know."
Time constraint
Jerre Patterson, acting police chief, has said that by contract, the township, through its civil service commission, must administer the test for sergeant within 60 working days of the post's vacancy.
Nick Levinsky, a sergeant, resigned last week a day before being convicted of telecommunications harassment connected to threats made against his wife on a political message board.
The job must be filled within 90 working days, the acting chief has said.
The contract with the police rank union calls for two captains, four lieutenants and 11 sergeants.
Kathy Miller, trustees chairwoman, said she also thinks that decisions regarding police patrol staffing should be let to Berarducci.
Miller talked earlier this year about a need for staffing adjustments in various departments to address declining township revenue.
"We haven't filled any positions," Miller said, referring to the police department vacancies as well as the information-technology coordinator post. "We've saved a small amount there."
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