The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Police swear in new patrol officer
The Lorain Police Department welcomed a new officer Aug. 29.
Isaiah Taylor was sworn in as a patrol officer with the Lorain Department in a ceremony with Lorain Mayor Joe Koziura.
Lorain police Capt. Roger Watkins said Taylor is a lifelong Lorain resident who received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bowling Green State University before completing the police academy at Lorain County Community College.
“He’s a very nice young man,” Watkins said. “I think he’s really going to enjoy his time here.”
Watkins said he likes the fact that Taylor is local to the city.
“I think you have a little bit more ownership of a community’s problems when you live in the community that you police,” he said. “I’m pretty excited to see what he can do.”
Taylor brings a lot to the table, Watkins said.
“It’s relieving to see us not losing our rising stars to neighboring bedroom communities,” he said.
Taylor’s hiring brings the Police Department up to 93 officers with three still in the academy.
The city has authorized the department to hire up to 100 officers, Watkins said.
“We’re trying to fill that with exceptional appointments,” he said.
Police officials are looking to run another civil service exam for potential new officers by the end of the year.
Despite this, the Police Department still is struggling with the city’s budget crunch as Fraternal Order of Police Lorain Lodge No. 3 recently filed a grievance over three recent car breakdowns.
In response, the city’s administration has met with the Police Department’s command staff to work out a “wish list” of cars.
Once the list is completed, Lorain Safety-Service Director Dan Given said the police and administration will work out what the city can afford.
Given has said police cars run between $30,000 and $54,000.