Police, fire departments add to ranks

The city of Wickliffe added to its fire and police ranks at City Council’s Feb. 25 meeting which saw both departments welcome new recruits.

Wayne Grant was sworn in by Mayor John Barbish as the Fire Department’s newest part-time member. The addition follows the departure of two other part-time firefighters, one to retirement and the other to a fulltime position in Brecksville.

Fire Chief Jim Powers had previously underscored the department’s need for more firefighters at a Feb. 11 council meeting where he stated that the department was down six people and was operating at only onethird of its normal manpower per day.

The unexpected drop in personnel was said to be a result of a full-time firefighter out due to extended illness and two more out due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Nick DeLuca was sworn in as a part-time member of the Police Department. DeLuca’s swearing-in follows the recent addition of Patrolman Nicholas Paull to the department at the Feb. 11 meeting.

The additions come as relief to Police Chief Randy Ice who has previously discussed the need for additional officers. Ice said the hirings were a direct result of a recent levy.

DeLuca’s and Paull’s inclusion will mark the highest number of officers in the department for the last nine years, according to Ice.

The chief said that he was “very happy to have the additional manpower.”

A justice assistance grant was also awarded to the police department for $9,511. Ice says those funds will be used to purchase body cameras.

SUBMITTED Wickliffe Police Department has hired new officers.