The Mansfield Police Department gained a new Deputy Chief on Tuesday afternoon when Lieutenant Keith T. Porch was promoted in an official ceremony at Mansfield’s City Council chambers.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered to commemorate Porch’s promotion with cake, punch and a few laughs.
“One thing me and Keith do share is we have the same sense of humor,” said Mansfield Chief of Police Ken Coontz. “Keith takes a lot of grief but trust me, everybody in this room probably knows Keith can dish it out, too. I think everybody at the police department is under the impression his wife must be an angel to be able to live with him.”
On a more serious note, Coontz noted he appreciated Porch’s professionalism and hard work ethic in his time as lieutenant and said he was very proud of his career that has progressed.
“When (former Chief of Police) Dino (Sgambellone) first learned to delegate to me, I learned real quick to delegate to Keith and I haven’t stopped delegating to him yet,” said Coontz. “I don’t think there’s anybody else I’ve felt like I could really rely on like I have Keith, especially over the last few years.”
Lt. Porch began his law enforcement career with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office in 1994. He joined the Mansfield Police Department on Feb. 26, 1999, was promoted to Sergeant on May 4, 2009, and then to Lieutenant on May 6, 2013. Porch has served as Sergeant in the Community Services Bureau as a Patrol Supervisor, has extensive experience in METRICH, and currently serves as the METRICH Task Force Commander. He is a former ASORT/SWAT team member, Field Training Officer, and is the Mansfield department’s Crisis Management Commander.
“We put a lot on Keith’s shoulders,” said Coontz.
Safety Service Director Lori Cope administered Porch’s oath of office, but not before sharing her personal connection to the new Deputy Chief: her husband was one of Porch’s training officers when he first started at the RSCO in 1994.
“He taught him to write his first ticket,” Cope said with a laugh. “We’re real excited to see how far Keith has come and really look forward to all that you bring to that office.”
Also on hand to congratulate Porch on his new position was Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, who said he considers Porch an asset to the police force.
“When Chief Coontz came to me, we talked about all your qualifications and I was astounded at how much you have done and the knowledge you bring to the job,” said Theaker. “Today we have an exciting new venture to start with.”
“I don’t think there’s anybody else I’ve felt like I could really rely on like I have Keith, especially over the last few years,” said Chief Ken Coontz.
