Mansfield City Police Chief Ken Coontz is settling into his new position. Since he’s taken over as chief in December, he has prioritized bringing new officers into the department, while remaining within the budget.
“We just got two guys off of field training so they will be getting ready to hit the streets solo. We have three guys that just graduated from the police academy and they are just now beginning their three month field training. We are also anticipating hiring five more officers hopefully by the end of February,” said Coontz of the addition of new officers.
Currently the Mansfield Police Department has 74 officers and approximately 63 officers that are active. Coontz explained that the potential addition of new officers would bring the total number of officers to 80.
“That still isn’t enough officers, but it is better than what we are at right now. Coontz shared that four of the 80 officer’s salaries are completely funded by a grant, which will fund those four officers for three years. “We are saving money and we are trying to put more officers on the streets,” said Coontz.
Coontz addressed why the need for more officers on the streets is desired.
“The crime hasn’t gone away and we need more officers on the streets so we can address crime issues right now, but because we are at such a critical level of staffing all we can do is respond to calls of service and that gives you no time for crime prevention or self initiating activity which is a huge factor in combating criminal activity,” said Coontz.
Coontz described the goal to increase crime analysis within Mansfield. With the addition of a crime analyst, it would assist officers in areas that are in the most need.
“With the aid of a crime analyst we will be able to do more with less because that is what everyone is doing now. In order to do that efficiently, we have to get the crime analyst. If I know where crime is occurring and I know the patterns and trends. I would know where to direct my officers,” said Coontz.
The budget is a concern for Coontz and he shared on how new officers could be hired and kept with the department.
“I’m inheriting someone else’s budget so I am still under a lot of those constraints. It is a coalition of people who decide on whether or not an officer is hired, but I think we are all on the same page. The mayor, HR director, and finance director see the need, but we just need the funds to be in place in order to hire people. The worst thing for me would be to over-hire and then have to turn around and lay people off. I don’t want to do that,” said Coontz.
Even though the budget is a concern for Coontz, he expressed his appreciation to the voters who helped pass the recent levy.
“It was a step towards getting more stabilized. The levy won’t fix our entire problem, but I am very appreciative of the voters. I will try to spend that money responsibly in a way that I think will most benefit the community,” said Coontz.
Coontz began his career with the Mansfield Police Department in 1993 as an officer; and in February 2005, he was promoted to sargeant. In 2009, he became a lieutenant and from October 2010 to May 2013, he was METRICH Drug Task Force Commander. In May 2013, he was promoted to captain and in December 2013 he became chief.
Keith Porch replaced Coontz at METRICH. “He does a great job and I am really happy with his work,” said Coontz.
Adding more officers to the department is not the only goal that Coontz wants to achieve as chief. “Reduction of crime is our primary goal and we have in the works to get the crime analyst, which is directly related to reducing crime,” said Coontz.
Coontz wants to make sure that community groups within Mansfield are being properly taken care of.
“Of course we have all our community programs that we want to upkeep. Safety Town, D.A.R.E, and the Friendly House are great programs in this community that the Mansfield Police Department supports, including neighborhood watches,” said Coontz.
Another goal Coontz has for his officers are to get them interacting more within the community. “We are trying to get the officers out of the car and into the community to get to know the people and let the people get to know the officers. We have got to get back to some of the concepts of community policing and that is about getting to know the community,” said Coontz.
“The crime hasn’t gone away and we need more officers on the streets so we can address crime issues right now, but because we are at such a critical level of staffing all we can do is respond to calls of service and that gives you no time for crime prevention or self initiating activity which is a huge factor in combating criminal activity,” saidCheif Coontz.
