City names police chief

An Elyria officer has been chosen to lead the Oberlin Police Department, according to a release from City Manager Robert Hillard.

Clarence “Ryan” Warfield was selected to replace former Chief Juan Torres who resigned in December citing personal reasons.

In the release, Hillard lauded Warfield’s credentials saying he has “decades of experience as a law enforcement professional,” and that Warfield “believes the key component of the future of the Oberlin Police Department is building relationships.”

The release said Warfield and the city will begin negotiating upon completion of a background check.

In a phone conversation with The Morning Journal, Warfield highlighted the fact he still has some “hoops to jump through” before the job is official, but he’s still thankful.

“I’m very thankful to Oberlin, to the community and to the police department for considering me for this position,” he said. “I hope and I pray that I’m able to do well for both the city and the police department.”

Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely said Warfield has been with his department since 1994, and has been in a supervisory role as sergeant since 2003.

“I don’t think you’re going to find a better person anywhere,” Whitely said. “I think he’s well-rounded. I think he’s a good supervisor, and he does a good job for us. I hate to lose him.”

Whitely said Warfield began

his career with the Elyria police as a road patrol officer then moved into the community impact unit and then the investigative unit.

Hillard also expressed thanks to everyone who participated in making the decision and singled out Lt. Mike McCloskey, who acted as interim chief in the nine months since Torres left.

“(McCloskey) provided stability and made progress on a number of projects during this critical time,” Hillard wrote.

As part of the search process, Oberlin held a number of

listening sessions welcoming residents to voice what they wanted in their new chief.

In a March 22 listening session attended by The Morning Journal, residents focused on the need for and definition of “community policing.”

Participants at the session said the police practice of ignoring residents on the streets or simply driving their cruisers through neighborhoods does not give the officer the context to properly understand the tensions in the city.

They also expressed a desire for more officers to actually live in the city. They said the lack of local officers adds to a sense the Police Department is an alien force unwilling to work with residents to solve problems and de-escalate

sticky situations.

In the release, Hillard, who was hired a week before Torres resigned, said the listening sessions “provided (him) insight into Oberlin that (he) would not have had without these sessions.”

Hillard closed the release by expressing his confidence in Warfield’s ability to lead the department.

“I have every confidence that Ryan will provide the leadership that will be embraced by the organization and the community,” he wrote. “As I have indicated throughout my first year, selection of a new Police Chief is not the end, but the beginning of making a positive difference in the City of Oberlin.”