LAWRENCE TWP. ‒ The township has a new police chief — a familiar face in Stark County law enforcement.
Township trustees earlier this month opted not renew Police Chief David Brown’s contract and appointed former Alliance and Hartville Police Chief Larry Dordea to serve as interim chief as they search for a permanent replacement.
Trustee Doug Swartz said the board reviews the chief’s contract annually at the beginning of the year.
“We examined (it) very carefully, and we decided we needed a change in leadership,” Swartz said. “We wanted to go in a different direction and it all starts with leadership.”
The decision was not based on any misconduct or complaints made against the chief, Swartz added, noting a rumor going around about Brown being in trouble and involved in a federal investigation are bogus.
“The Lawrence Township board of trustees would like to thank Chief Brown for his years of service and years of dedication to the Lawrence Township Police Department and the residents he served,” Swartz said. “We appreciate his commitment to public safety and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Brown, who had been with the department since 2003, became the township’s top cop in 2017. A message was left with Brown seeking comment.
Dordea will begin his new role on Jan. 19. He spent the past week taking a refresher Ohio Police Officer Training course. His salary is $99,238.
Swartz said Dordea was a perfect fit to help the trustees navigate finding Brown’s successor.
The retired Dordea, who unsuccessfully ran for Stark County sheriff in 2008, 2012 and 2014, is now an assessor for the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. The 12-person panel was tasked with creating the state’s first law enforcement standards.
“We wanted leadership continuity and we reached out the Larry and he said yes,” Swartz said.
Dordea is expected to be at the helm of the department for about six months, Swartz said. During that time, he will assess the department and its operations.
He’ll look at different areas such as operational standards and policies and procedures.
“We are going to let him come in, slow down and methodically look at the department,” Swartz said. “While he is here why not take advantage of the skill set he brings to the table and get a great assessment of the agency. He’ll look at what we are not doing great at and what we are doing a good job with.”
Swartz, the former Canal Fulton police chief, said the assessment will leave a clear road map for the next chief.
The police department has 10 full-time officers.
He anticipates once the job is advertised the township will get a group of qualified candidates.
“We have such a great community and the salary is good. This job will attract a lot of talented law enforcement from across the state,” he added.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Lawrence Township trustees opt not to renew police chief’s contract
Reporting by Amy L. Knapp, Massillon Independent / The Repository
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