Police department hires three new officers

Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley has sworn in three new police officers.

The officers — Brendan Takacs, Brianna Fawcett and Mark Pickett — were hired into the department as replacements for two officers who have recently retired and one who is planning to retire.

Fawcett is the first female officer hired by the department in over a decade, Police Chief Larry Reik said. She previously worked for the police department in Mentor-onthe-Lake.

Pickett, a member of the U.S. Navy, is the department’s first active reservist officer. Reik said this is something new for the department to work with but the city has always been supportive of its veterans.

Takacs, a graduate of North High School, was described by the chief as “our hometown boy.” Takacs previously worked for Russell Township Police Department.

“We are bringing new blood on ... and are looking forward to them getting started,” Reik said. “We are in a transition right now, we have had several people retire. We will have one in August and possibly another one in September.

“We are working with Civil Service to try to make sure we keep filling those spots and we are moving forward.”

In addition to the three new officers, the department hired Kyle Baker, Cole Daubenmire, Jeffrey Dietz, Antonio James and John Pikula as auxiliary officers in June.