Warren welcomes officers | News, Sports, Jobs

Staff photo /Chris McBride
Tyler Srbinovich, Dragan Poledica, Tyler George, Ryan Young, Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, James Johnson, Zachary Horner and Anthony Demyan pose for a group photo following the swearing in of seven new Warren police officers Friday.

WARREN — A turning point might be nearing for the Warren Police Department’s staffing difficulties as it welcomed seven new officers into its ranks during a swearing-in ceremony Friday.

Family, friends and current members of the police department filled city council chambers to watch the ceremony, which included Warren police Chief Eric Merkel; police Cap. Robert Massucci, Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert, who swore in the officers, and Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, who gave opening and closing remarks.

“Today is a special day as we gather here to witness the swearing-in ceremony of these new officers who have chosen to serve our community and protect our community,” Franklin said. “It’s both an honor and a privilege to stand before you and address this group of individuals who have chosen a path of service, bravery and sacrifice as our newly sworn police officers.”

The seven additions to the department are part of the lateral transfer program the department has adopted to attract experienced officers from neighboring departments. Officers are offered a $10,000 sign-on bonus for a three-year commitment to remain with Warren Police Department.

The hiring method was made possible through a hiring and retention grant secured by the department.

Highlighting the weight this will lift off existing Warren officers, Merkel addressed the fact that the department has been operating with a shortage of officers for some time.

“We’ve got officers working a lot of overtime, a lot of it forced, and as a result they’re getting burned out, so this is just going to be the shot in the arm that gives them some relief,” Merkel said.

Merkel placed a “challenge coin” in the hand of each of the seven new officers. It is a challenge from the police chief to the newly anointed members of his force not only to bring their “A-game,” but bring leadership qualities to the department.

Merkel said the additions bring the department to 64 officers, which is six shy of its target goal of 70. The department already has its sights set on two more potential transfers before the hiring method expires Nov. 1.

One of the officers sworn in Friday was Tyler George, 29, who was born and raised in Warren. He called it a place that is special in his heart for having molded him into the person he is today.

“This means a lot for me to have this opportunity to come back to the city, somewhere that has sentimental value to me, where I can serve the community in my role as a police officer,” George said.

The eight-year law enforcement officer joined WPD after leaving the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.

“It was difficult and bittersweet leaving, but it’s also a humbling experience,” George said.

In his speech, Merkel highlighted several of the new training tactics and equipment the department will use, which George said was a plus when taking the position.

“Agencies all over the country are struggling for officers. It’s unfortunately a dying breed. It’s nice to see departments like Warren be able to offer those tools to make the job easier for us like the new cruisers, new training, the red dots on the firearms, those are all tools that will give us more peace of mind,” George said.

In his new role, George said he wants to be transparent with residents he encounters to help them better understand charges they might face during an arrest.

Joining him on the force will be Zachary Horner, 33, an officer coming from the Cortland Police Department. Like George, Horner also is not a stranger to the area.

“I’m familiar with this area because I used to work in Warren Township. I enjoyed working with the community over there and coming to calls in the city so I thought this would be a perfect fit when I heard about the lateral transfer,” Horner said.

Horner said he is looking forward to using the new equipment and training he believes will make his job easier.

“He (Merkel) is obviously getting the money through grants or other things and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here because we’ll have the equipment to do our job better, with more success,” Horner said.

The mother of one officer, Lydia Andino-Demyan, made the drive from Elyria to be at the ceremony. Her face beamed with pride when she looked up to her eldest son of four, Anthony Demyan, as she held the Bible during his swearing-in.

“He’s worked so hard throughout his life and this was a long time coming for him,” Andino-Demyan said.

“When I saw him being sworn in, I thought, ‘Everything is going to be good for him.’”

The other four new Warren police officers are James Johnson, Dragan Poledica, Tyler Srbinovich and Ryan Young.