MANSFIELD — Three Mansfield Policemen were promoted during a ceremony Monday afternoon at City Council Chambers.
Lieutnant Douglas Noblet Jr. was promoted captain. Sergeant Jason Bammann was promoted to lieutenant and officer Shane Gearhart was promoted to sergeant.
“It’s rare that we get to promote three people,” Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz said. “But these are three excellent officers and supervisors.”
The ceremony took place before a crowd of family, friends and department colleagues
“The most important position being taken on today will be Shane going being promoted to sergeant,” Assistant Cheif Keith Porch said. “I learned a lot from my sergeants in my time, and that’s the critical position, in my opinion. To be able to mold a patrol officer in the right ways.
“The other ones can fall on the captains and people below them, but Shane has really got to mold the officers we want to work with the department.”
Bammann and Porch entered the MPD together, Porch continued.
“There’s nobody more ready to take on that responsibility,” he said. “Believe me, there is no one more prepared.”
Noblet, who Koontz said just came back from military duty, helped Porch as a field training officer.
“I want to congratulate you all. There’s no one here I’d rather go through a front door with,” Porch said.
Noblet and Bammann said they couldn’t believe they were taking on administrative positions.
“Five years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I was standing up doing this,” Bammann said. “But here I am. I’m excited the only way to grow is by giving new things a shot.”
Noblet, who began with the department 26 years ago, was thrilled, too.
“When I started working here making $7.31 (an hour). I would have never dreamed I’d be here,” Noblet said. “Time just flies by. I am looking forward to the new position.
