NEWS

Connell to become Newark's police chief

Staff report

NEWARK – The same day Mayor Jeff Hall announced Barry Connell will be Newark's new police chief, Connell announced when he will be retiring.

When asked how long he saw himself as chief, Connell did not hesitate to say five years.

"There's a period of effectiveness for any leader, and for me, it seems like five years," Connell said. "I don't plan to do more than five years."

Connell has served as the interim chief since March 6, when Steve Sarver retired. Connell has worked as a police canine handler/trainer, field training officer, training supervisor, property room supervisor and public information officer.

He has served in law enforcement for 25 years, commanding the administrative, support and patrol bureaus for the Newark Division of Police.

Since he took over as interim chief, Connell said he has seen it reinforced to him how much of the community supports the police department.

"There is a vocal minority, but I know they're the minority," he said. "The majority of the citizens believe in us, and that's a strength we want to play towards."

Connell said he believes he and the three captains in the department, who all have worked in Newark for most of their careers, have a unique opportunity to influence change within the Newark Division of Police.

"We know the culture, we know the good, the bad," Connell said.

Over the course of his term as chief, which will officially begin Monday evening, Connell said he hopes to implement a records management system that keeps employees and officers from being redundant in the work and allow them to accomplish more.

"I want to find ways to be creatively efficient," he said. "We've had no reduction in service but a reduced number of people."

The police department has 68 officers currently and Connell hopes to get that number up to 70 soon. There are two people the department wants to hire as officers, but both have to complete a police academy this summer.

"If the economy increases, I'd love to hire more officers," he said.

Hall said in a press release he looks forward to working with Connell and congratulated him on the promotion.

"After careful consideration, I am proud to have selected Barry Connell as chief of the Newark Division of Police," Hall said. "Barry brings nearly 25 years of experience with the Newark Police Division and displays great leadership skills and enthusiasm.

Connell was promoted to sergeant on June 8, 1998, and captain on Aug. 9, 2010.

He is a Licking Valley High School graduate and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers.