Mentor Police Department Department - City of Mentor

Mentor Mentor Police 

Police 

Department 

Department 

20 2012 20 

Annual Annual Report 

Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

• Table of Contents 1 

• Foreword 3 

• Mission Statement 4 

• Introduction 5 

• Police Officer/Civilian Employee of the Year 5 

• Distinguished Awards 6 

• Victim’s Advocate 7 

• Historian 7 

ADMINISTRATION DIVISION 


• Community Services 9 

• Personnel & Training 14 

• Court Services 17 

• Volunteer Police Chaplain Program 18 

• Vehicle Fleet Maintenance 19 

OPERATIONS DIVISION 


• Patrol Bureau 19 

» Traffic Services 21 

• Criminal Investigations Bureau 22 

» Computer Forensics 23 

» Video Forensics 23 

» Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) 24 

» Evidence Technician Program 24 

» Narcotics 25 

» Statistics 26 

1

» School Resource Officer 27 

» Case Load/Significant Events 27 

• Property and Evidence 28 

Specialty Teams 

• Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) 30 

• Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) 30 

• Bike/ATV 30 

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 31 

• Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) 33 

• K- 9 Unit 34 

• Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) 35 

SUPPORT SERVICES 


• Communication Division 36 

• Corrections Unit 38 

• Records Department 40 

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 42 

THEN AND NOW PHOTOGRAPHS 43 

2

Foreword 

As Chief of Police, I am proud to present the 

2012 Annual Report for the City of Mentor 

Police Department. This report details the 

activities of, and progress made by, the 

department in 2012. The format is a 

compilation of individual section reports 

brought together into a single document. 

This allows for a unique overview of 

department operations as viewed by the 

personnel who are responsible for program 

implementation. 

The Mentor Police Department continues to 

receive much support from the City 

Manager, his staff, other city departments and City Council. It is vitally 

important to also acknowledge the support offered by the citizens of this 

community. They have allowed us to make a major impact on the 

delivery of police services in the city and attain the goals we established 

at the beginning of the year. 

______________________________ 

Kevin Knight 

Chief of Police 

3

Mission Statement 

We, the members of the Mentor Police Department, vow to uphold 

the Constitution of the United States and the State of Ohio, to 

maintain order, and to protect life and property. We pledge to 

promptly deliver the highest quality service and wisely use 

available resources. We shall strive to improve the quality of life for the 

community, and endeavor to be role models. 

W 

I 

e will accomplish our mission through innovation, problemsolving, 

and community involvement. 

n accepting this challenge, we will genuinely pursue our core values of 

Integrity, Caring, Fairness, and Professionalism. 

INTEGRITY 

We are dedicated to individually upholding the public trust and being held 

accountable for performing our duties ethically, morally and honestly. 

CARING 

We are dedicated to showing concern, courtesy and sensitivity to ourselves, fellow 

employees, and those we serve. We will be compassionate and treat everyone as we 

wish to be treated. 

FAIRNESS 

We are dedicated to treating all persons with respect, understanding and dignity. 

We will consistently use common sense in a non-discriminatory fashion to promote 

harmony and equality. 

PROFESSIONALISM 

We are dedicated to providing the community with a competent, responsive and 

supportive department. We will provide quality service through effective 

communication, cooperation, and personal involvement. Our commitment to 

excellence in all we do will present a professional image. 

4

T 

he Mentor Police Department consists of three major divisions, each responsible 

for separate duties and functions, but designed to offer support to each other. 

Currently the Police Department consists of the Administrative Division, 

Operations Division and Support Services Division. The Command Staff of the Police 

Department is made up of the Chief of Police, who oversees the entire Department 

and three Captains each of which commands one of the three Divisions. The 

Command Staff works at coordinating all the efforts of the Police Department to 

achieve the Department’s goals and objectives. The Chief and the Captains are 

assisted by two full time secretaries. The Victim’s Assistance program is directed 

through the office of the Chief of Police. 

Police Officer of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year 

In January of 2012, officers and staff nominated and voted for his/her choice of Police 

Officer and Civilian Employee of the year for 2011. Lieutenant Daniel Molnar was 

selected as the 2011 Police Officer of the Year. Lt. Molnar has served as a field 

training officer, evidence technician, SWAT team leader, and has moved quickly to 

the rank of Lieutenant. As a supervisor, Lt. Molnar has successfully obtained the 

respect of officers working for 

him by treating officers fairly and 

believing in the ability of those 

working for him. Lt. Molnar has 

shown leadership skills with 

honesty, integrity, and reliability. 

Mrs. Linda Hulderman was 

selected as the 2011 Civilian 

Employee of the Year. Linda 

began her career as a dispatcher 

for the city of Mentor in 1979. 

She resigned in 1986 to raise her 

family and returned to work at a 

part-time status in 2007. Due to 

her outstanding work 

performance, she was offered full 

time status in 2010. Linda has proven to be a reliable, highly competent and 

compassionate dispatcher. Linda has received well deserved praise from citizens, 

coworkers, and supervisors throughout the year. She earned the Mentor Police 

Department’s Exceptional Service award in July, 2011 for the extraordinary job she 

did in handling a young suicidal caller. She has an amazing gift of taking control of a 

situation and extracting vital information while always remaining calm, empathetic, 

and polite. Dispatcher Hulderman exemplifies the ideal Public Safety 

Communications Dispatcher. She is a true professional and an outstanding 

individual. 

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Distinguished Awards 

In an effort to recognize outstanding work and achievement, the Mentor Police 

Department has adopted the Lake County Association of Chiefs of Police (LCACP) 

Award Program. The awards consist of a citation bar to be worn on the officer’s 

uniform and an account of the award to be placed in the officer’s personnel file. 

Some awards are issued internally through the department. The Medal of Honor, 

Distinguished Service, Combat Cross, Injured on Duty, and Life Saving Award are 

normally awarded by the LCACP awards committee. Occasionally, officers are 

recognized for his or her achievements by outside agencies and businesses. 

Officer of the Year Award - 2011 Lt. Dan Molnar 

Civilian of the Year Award - 2011 Linda Hulderman 

Departmental Excellence Award 

Patrolman Michael Bruening 

Detective Dan Radigan 

Exceptional Service Award 

Dispatcher Jeffrey Vilk 

Chiefs of Police - Life Saving Award 

Patrolman William Kuret 

Patrolman Richard Gerber 

Patrolman Jonathan Smelcer 

Patrolman Matthew Alvord 

Patrolman Michael Bruening 

Corrections Officer Richard Radtkin 

Knights of Columbus – Blue Coat Award 

Captain Kevin Knight 

N.E. Ohio Regional Fusion Center Terrorism Liaison Officer of the Year Award 

Sergeant Richard Slovenkay 

Letter of Commendation: 

Patrolman Jason Myers 

Patrolman Paul Fiorilli 

Detective Dennis Collins 

Detective Jim Collier 

Detective Mike Malainy 

Detective Colleen Petro 

Patrolman Steven Ondercin 

Dispatcher Amie Longstaff 

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Victim Assistance Program 

The Victim Assistance Program is a service that addresses the needs of crime victims 

in the City of Mentor and Mentor on the Lake. The program has served over 4500 

victims of crime since its beginning in 1997. Presently one full time victim advocate is 

employed working both with the court and the police department in assisting victims 

through the criminal justice process. 

The services offered are court accompaniment, crisis intervention, complete 

explanation of the criminal court process, referrals to appropriate community 

assistance organizations and counselors, notification of all segments and procedures 

regarding court hearings and dates, helping victims in completing a Victim Impact 

Statement, assistance in obtaining temporary protection orders through the Mentor 

Municipal Court and referrals regarding Civil Protection Orders at Common Pleas 

Court, assistance in filing and completing the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation 

application, and notification and awareness of the VINE (Victim Information 

Notification Every Day) system. 

The Victim Assistance Office assisted 214 victims with the following cases: 

4 abduction, 23 assault, 2 child endangering, 11 criminal damage/vandalism, 3 

disrupting public service, 106 domestic violence, 3 DUI injury crashes. 6 elder abuse, 

1 extortion, 14 menacing/phone harassment, 27 theft/burglary, 9 sexual 

abuse/assault, 1 stalking, 1 vehicular assault/manslaughter, and 3 violations of 

protection orders. 

Historian 

In late 2010, it was decided that the police 

department needed to make a special effort to 

preserve its history. The volunteer position of a 

Police Historian was created to document, record 

and honor past officers and the history of the 

department. Officer Tim Abbott volunteered to 

be the Historian. Employees of the city road 

department’s woodshop constructed two 

beautiful display cases. In the Spring of 2011, 

the display cases were installed in the patrol 

hallway where officers passing them are 

reminded of the rich history of their department 

and the citizens that are served. 

Several retired officers were contacted in an effort to preserve the past and honor 

those officers with some treasured photographs, old equipment, and other 

memorabilia from their era. Some of the donations arrive anonymously and some 

from other retired officers such as retired sergeant Fred Watson. A special thanks to 

retired officer Carl Janz. Carl donated much of what he had accumulated over his 

long career and it is on display at this time. One display case is filled and the other is 

a work in progress. Since today is tomorrow’s history, the department is constantly 

collecting items, especially photographs of officers and current equipment. 

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Administration 

The Administrative Division is responsible for budget preparation and management, 

Community Services Unit, Court Services Unit, Volunteer Chaplain Unit, grant 

procurement and management, labor contract management, personnel, training, 

research and project management, web site management and working with Public 

Works to manage the Department’s fleet of vehicles. 

In 2012, the Division was involved in 

several projects. The Administrative 

Division worked with Civil Service in the 

hiring process with the goal of getting the 

Department up to full staffing levels. As 

part of the fleet management 

responsibilities, research and testing led to 

the decision to purchase the new Ford 

Police Interceptor as the replacement 

model for the marked fleet. The 

Administration Division also prepared and 

submitted the Department’s 2013 budget. 

In personnel matters, Captain Jeffery Reese retired after a long career at the Police 

Department as did Property and Evidence Technician John Vargo. In addition, Chief 

Daniel Llewellyn announced his retirement beginning early 2013 and the City 

Manager announced that 

Captain Kevin Knight would be 

appointed as the next Police 

Chief. 

l-r: Lt. Daniel Molnar, Sgt. Mark Stansbury, Ret. Chief Daniel Llewellyn, 

Judge John Trebets, Capt. Ken Gunsch, City Mgr. Ken Filipiak 

2013 Police Interceptor 

In 2012 several promotions 

were made. Lieutenant Ken 

Gunsch was promoted to 

Captain, Sergeant Dan Molnar to 

Lieutenant and Patrolman Mark 

Stansbury to Sergeant. 

The Civil Service Commission 

administered a new entrance 

test in early 2012 and as a result 

of the test Bryan Distelrath, Matthew Jacob, Richard Smith and Bryan Wayne were 

hired as new Patrol Officers. 

Additional new hires with the Police Department were Karen Brooks as a secretary, 

Nancy Gasber from part-time to full-time Corrections Officer, Michael Kubec as a parttime 

Communications Technician, Jay Barnes as a part-time Property and Evidence 

Technician and Rob Rodriguez as a full-time Police Mechanic. 

With promotions scheduled for early in 2013, the Division will be busy again. The 

Department will continue to bring the Department up to full staffing levels as well as 

hiring two additional officers that were approved in the 2013 budget. 

8

The Division will continue to keep the Department on track with our five-year new 

officer development program as well as training new officers and newly promoted 

officers. The Department was able to be in compliance with the State’s mandatory 

continuing professional training program by the end of the first half of the year. The 

Division also continued to search for and utilize appropriate free training opportunities 

to stay with in the training budget constraints. 

Community Service Unit 

All members of the Mentor Police Department, 

as part of an officer’s normal operation and 

contact with the public, perform the function of 

community service. The Community Service 

Unit’s main function is to cultivate a positive 

image for the police department through 

educational programming in addition to 

interacting with the public on a daily basis. 

Officer Marilyn Satterfield maintains a working 

partnership with local, state, and national 

organizations, neighborhood watch groups, 

civic organizations, and area businesses 

through memberships, meetings, conferences, and safety presentations. Officer 

Satterfield is a member of the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners 

and the Ohio Crime Prevention Association. Locally, she is involved with the Greater 

Lake County Crime Prevention Task Force, Lake County Safe Communities, Greater 

Cleveland Safe Kids/Safe Communities Coalition, Fraternal Order of Police, Retired 

Senior Volunteer Program, and Mentor Schools Parent Teacher Association. 

Chief Kevin Knight receives award from 

AAA representative JJ Miller 

For the past thirteen years, the Unit has 

completed extensive informational and statistical 

packets for the annual awards presented by the 

Northeast Ohio District American Automobile 

Association. The Unit spends many hours 

collecting statistical data and gathering all types 

of safety project information from all city 

departments. At the AAA annual awards 

luncheon, the City of Mentor received top honors 

with the prestigious platinum award in showing 

leadership for traffic safety programming and 

projects. 

Officers meet with retail business owners and 

managers to advise them of theft, bad checks, and alarm procedures. Retail 

businesses are offered the opportunity to have officers speak on retail security topics. 

Topics are tailor made to the business. Topics may include workplace violence 

training, robbery reaction or shoplifting detection, and drug and/or alcohol abuse 

awareness. This year, the Unit hosted a bank security seminar with the FBI and the 

Detective Bureau. The seminar focused on bank security and alarm procedures. 

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Neighborhood Watch groups are educated in crime prevention techniques and the 

proper reporting of criminal activity. These groups have Block Captains who maintain 

lists of current members, disseminate important police related information to members 

and report problems to the Community Service Unit. Citizens are offered the 

assistance with security surveys. 

2012 marked the fourth year of Mentor Lagoons Marina Watch program. Based on 

the Neighborhood Watch program, a “Marina Watch” was initiated in the marina, to 

help curtail crime and promote safety. “Captains” were named in each area of the 

marina, and every member of the marina was given a pamphlet identifying their 

captain, and tips on how to report problems and any crimes witnessed. Although 

there were no formal meetings, the Unit and officers were updated of any crime 

problems. 

The Community Service Officers developed and continues to coordinate the “Prevent- 

A-Gram” program. This office receives daily reports from patrol regarding 

observations of potential criminal opportunistic targets. These reports are transferred 

to typed mailings and are sent to homes and businesses alerting them to potential 

problem areas. In 2012, the unit sent out 1,021 Prevent-A-Grams. 

Other goals of the Community Service Unit are to present the Mentor Police 

Department in a positive way to the youth of the City of Mentor, and to focus on 

reducing the number of children without child safety seat protection. Officers assist 

with bicycle licensing during school sponsored bike rodeos, and provide flyers for the 

purchase of low cost bicycle helmets to each school. Child safety programs are 

provided to show that police officers are their friends and that if they are in trouble an 

officer is there to help them. Several programs incorporate using proper child safety 

restraints in vehicles. 

Each year, the Unit receives an Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) grant to 

instruct third grade students about seat belt 

safety. This program has been 

incorporated into the Mentor School 

Curriculum. Officers spoke to 657 students 

on the proper use of seatbelts using math 

and science demonstrations. This is the 

last year that the ODPS is sponsoring the 

program. We will continue to provide the 

educational and poster contest. 

For the past twenty-two years and as part 

of this safety program, the Community 

Service Unit has sponsored a seat belt 

safety poster contest. Officers provide the 

poster paper and instructions to each 

participating class. Officers contact a 

number of local businesses to provide supplies for the contest and to donate great 

prizes. Last year, this Unit judged 657 posters. The ten poster contest school 

winners received many prizes donated by local businesses and were invited to the 

Great Lakes Mall during Law Day. The winners are brought up on stage and 

10

presented their awards. The winning posters are displayed throughout the day and 

then the top three prize winning posters are highlighted in the display case in the 

lobby of the police department for a month. 

Officers talk at preschools about many safety issues such as safety in the home, 

stranger danger, playground safety, and the use of 9-1-1. Officers go into the 

kindergarten classes and talk about a police officer’s job as a “Community Helper”. 

Officers also go over the correct use of 9-1-1, and show the children a police car. 

Officers furnished educational material and spoke about safety to home-school and to 

private school children. Officers provided tours of the police station for many groups. 

The Community Service Unit coordinates the Officer Phil Safety Program with all of 

the elementary schools. This program 

is sponsored by local businesses and 

provides for a presentation by a 

Ventriloquist Animator along with safety 

books given to each student (K-3). This 

program targets bullying, drug abuse, 

and peer pressure issues for the older 

grades and, during a second program, 

officers and the animator speak to 

kindergarten through 3 rd grade students 

on general safety issues. This is one of 

the programs that are requested by the 

teachers to continue each year. 

The Mentor Police Department Community Service Unit participates in a variety of 

Community and Business Safety Events. Officers host and coordinate an annual 

“Law Day” at the Great Lakes Mall to include all Lake County police departments. 

Officers coordinate the set up and lay out for displays and on-stage programming with 

all participating police departments. Officers from most Lake County Police 

Departments gather on Friday evening to set up displays, move in vehicles, and 

coordinate activities as necessary. 

In conjunction with the National “Drive 

Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, 

the Lake County Crime Prevention 

Task Force sponsors a “Protect and 

Serve” Tavern at the Great Lakes 

Mall. This annual one-day event is 

coordinated and hosted by the Unit 

and is held in December prior to the 

holiday season. This unique event 

promotes safe driving through the use 

of non-alcoholic beverage alternatives 

for the holidays. Officers work with the 

business community to provide 

donations. 

11

Officers schedule the guest servers and Task Force members to assist with set up, 

work during the bar hours, clean up and tear down of the event. Officers send thank 

you letters to the media, workers, and businesses that helped during this busy event. 

In 2002, two officers became certified Child Safety Seat Specialists after attending an 

intense one week school hosted by Greater Cleveland Safe Kids/Safe Communities 

Coalition. Every two years, officers must re-test to keep their certification current. 

With the retirement of Officer Toth in 2011, Officer Satterfield is the only certified Child 

Safety Seat Technician in the City of Mentor. In 2012, Officer Satterfield performed 

inspections on 106 child safety seats. Copies of every install are forwarded to 

Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital for inspection of proper installation 

techniques and statistical data. This program is featured on MCTV Channel 12 and 

Mentor is listed on a national registry as child safety seat technicians. Because of this 

notoriety, she is often requested by community groups to talk about safety seats and 

child safety issues. 

Through a cooperative effort, the Unit and the Mentor Municipal Court continue 

providing Child Safety Seat through a donation project. Defendants who are unable to 

perform community service work may be given the opportunity to provide a child 

safety seat to be given to an underprivileged family. Seat referrals are made to the 

Mentor Municipal Court from various social organizations. Once approved by the 

Judge, the family is directed to the Community Service Officers for child safety seat 

education and to obtain the child safety seat. To date, 80 child safety seats have 

been provided along with assistance in installation to needy families. The Unit also 

participated in the Healthy Kids Carnival held at the Senior Center. At this event 

Officer Satterfield worked with the National Safe Kids Coalition on the “Boost your 

Booty” campaign to teach parents and kids about booster seats. This worthwhile 

event will be held again in 2013. 

The Community Service Unit collaborates with the Greater Cleveland Safe Kids 

Coalition to provide low cost bicycle helmets throughout the year. Flyers are 

delivered to each elementary school and placed in the Parks and Recreation 

Department and Police Department lobbies. They are also available on the police 

department website. Helmet sizes are available from toddler to extra large adult. 

Purchasers are asked to make appointments to have the helmet properly fitted. In 

2012, 84 helmets were fitted and sold to the general public and six were given away 

through various events. The Unit along with the bike officers participated in a Bike 

Rodeo at the Civic Center where 19 helmets were sold and fitted for the participants. 

As part of an ongoing court probation program over the last seven years, the 

Community Service Unit has received a total of 221 helmets, as well as numerous 

bicycle locks. These helmets and locks are used for special promotions and for those 

who were not able to afford them. 

The Community Service Unit coordinates the police department’s Helmet Safety 

Citation program. This program awards children for wearing their helmets while 

practicing safe riding techniques. After an officer observes and “stops” a child 

wearing a helmet, he issues a “safety citation”. This citation can then be redeemed at 

the Police Department for great prizes. The Unit designed and purchased the current 

citation booklets. Officers also select and purchase incentives such as shirts, 

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footballs, and sidewalk chalk. The Community Service Officers solicit donations from 

local restaurants for kids’ meal coupons. In 2012, seventeen police officers 

participated, issuing 177 safety citations to area children. As an incentive to officers, 

the top two writers receive a small token of appreciation donated by local merchants. 

The Unit keeps current updated information throughout the summer about this 

program. 

The Unit is charged with preparing, writing, and administering most of the grants and 

donation requests for the department. In July 2009, the Unit secured Federal Justice 

Assistance grant (JAG) funding through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 

of 2009 (ARRA). Funding is for three years and is to assist with overtime issues in 

keeping community policing activities and a portion is to be used for computer related 

equipment. In 2012, The Unit applied for and received a grant through Ohio Criminal 

Services JAG- Byrne for Aggressive Criminal Enforcement overtime grant. 

Surveillance equipment was also purchased with grant funds. In October, the Unit 

secured a fourth year for traffic safety funding through the Ohio Department of Public 

Safety for High Visibility Enforcement Activity. The Unit also continues to administer 

the Ballistic Vest grant and the Third Grade Safety Belt contract. 

In 2012, the Unit supervised five volunteers through this program. Volunteers assist 

with helping to prepare and set up displays, working special events, wearing the 

McGruff costume, filing, clerical activities, and assisting with paperwork in the 

Courtroom. 

The Unit continues as the police liaison for six 

“regular” part-time and two “fill in” adult school 

crossing guards. Officer Satterfield handles the 

scheduling and training of the guards. Two one 

hour training sessions are held to prepare guards 

for their assignments. Although no new guards 

were needed this year, Officer Satterfield 

coordinates procedures for new hires as well as 

interviewing potential employees. All equipment is 

maintained and replaced as needed by the Unit. 

One Crossing Guard, Phyllis Slifko, completed 30 

years at the end of 2011 and one Guard, Lisa 

Zenz completed 20 years. 

The Community Service Unit participated in various Community and Business safety 

events. Community Service Officers participate in the annual Lake County Fair 

Children’s Safety Day, “buckle down”, and parade. 

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Personnel and Training Unit 

During 2012, the department invested 12,137.5 hours in training to maintain and 

improve the skill levels of sworn officers and civilian employees. Training is required 

for specialized units such as the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), the 

Crisis Intervention Team (Hostage Negotiators), Detective Bureau, Bomb Squad, K-9 

Teams, Evidence Technicians, Crime Prevention, Bike Patrol, and newly promoted 

and hired staff members. 

Progressive police management training provides the knowledge and skills necessary 

for assuming additional responsibilities in administrative staff positions. During 2012, 

administrative training encompassed the Chief’s In-service training. One Captain 

attended the FBI workshop. Two Captains attended the FBI Counterterrorism 

Awareness Briefing and the required NIMS training. 

To properly develop our Patrol Division, it is imperative that the Lieutenants and 

Sergeants remain current with state, local, and federal legal decisions for street-level 

implementation. To support this level of management, one Sergeant attended 

Supervision of Police Personnel at Northwestern University. Three Lieutenants and 

one Sergeant attended training titled: Managing the Media. One Lieutenant attended 

OVI and Traffic Issues training. Eight Sergeants attended the Ohio Peace Officer 

Training Commission’s Legal Updates training. 

The Patrol Division is responsible for accomplishing a major portion of the police 

department’s goals. Organizational goals are achieved by officers who are 

experienced in all aspects of law enforcement and criminal justice. During 2012, both 

sworn officers and civilian employees attended Ethics for the Law Enforcement 

Officer. This training was conducted by an instructor from The Ohio Peace Officer 

Training Academy. In April the entire Patrol Unit attended Anti-Harassment Training. 

Seventeen Patrol Officers each completed Evidence Technician re-certification 

training. Some patrol officers attended a Civil Rights conference while others attended 

Autism training. 

Roll Call Training encompasses monthly review of department policy and procedure 

and video training. The policy review included the Emergency Operations Plan, 

Special Operations, Multiple Unit Response, Domestic Violence, Use of Force, 

Pursuit Policy, and the Preservation and Handling of Evidence and Property. The In- 

The-Line-of-Duty video series included Traffic Stops of Sovereign Citizens and Bath 

Salts – What every Cop Should Know. Roll Call Training included learning the Ohio 

Crash Report – OH -1, 2012 new version. 

The Detective Bureau’s training during 2012 included Forensic Toxicology, 

Sadomasochistic Death Investigation, and the Coroner’s Case Studies. Nine 

detectives completed Evidence Technician Re-certification training. The Investigative 

Unit attended Street Survival training. Also, Detectives have training responsibilities, 

instructing in such areas as crime-scene processing, digital photography for evidence 

technicians and courtroom testimony for patrol officers. 

14

The department’s Juvenile Unit and Narcotics Unit are subdivisions of the Detective 

Bureau. The Juvenile Unit training during 2012 included Investigating Non-stranger 

Sexual Assaults and Sexual Assault Response Team training. During 2012, the 

Narcotics Unit Detectives attended Narcotics Interdiction Tools & Technology, 

Narcotic Officer Survival Red Flags, and Pharmaceutical Drug Investigations. 

The School Resource Officer (SRO) is assigned to Mentor High School. In 2012, the 

SRO attended Suicide Contagions training. 

The Community Service Unit (Crime Prevention) focuses on reducing crime by 

maintaining a working partnership with local, state, and national organizations, 

neighborhood watch groups, and area businesses. The Community Service Officer 

attended Child Safety Seat re-certification, the Ohio Occupational Protection 

Workshop, and the Ohio Crime Prevention Association to educate our residents with 

the most up-to-date crime prevention methods. 

The K-9 Unit is an invaluable and integral part of our Patrol Division. Our unit is now 

up to full force with two teams. Our second K-9 team completed 6 weeks of very 

intense, physically exhausting training and is now certified in narcotics detection and 

tracking. As with humans, to maintain proficient skill levels, expected canine conduct 

must be continually reinforced with training. The K-9 Unit trains twice monthly. 

The Bike Patrol Unit has been very successful patrolling residential areas, 

businesses, parks and assisting with special events throughout the City of Mentor. 

The entire Bike Patrol Unit attended ‘Spring Training’ to prepare for the 2012 cycling 

season. 

Range attendance requirements differ for rankings 

of Distinguished Expert, Expert, Sharpshooter, and 

Marksman, from 7 to 10 sessions per year, 

respectively. Our police officers understand the 

critical importance of this training and attend well 

above the state required standard. Range training 

also involved the AR15 rifle and shotgun 

proficiency. Some range sessions are dedicated 

to increasing proficiency with off-duty weapons. 

During Defensive Tactics Training for 2012, the 

officers were instructed in response scenarios performed with verbal commands 

involving handcuffing, ground control, shot-avoidance, weapon retention, blocks, 

kicks, and ASP proficiency. 

SWAT Team training involved rigorous physical exertion and extended training hours. 

The SWAT Team attended training with the Detective Bureau titled: Coordinated 

Traffic Stops / Drug Buys. The Lieutenant in charge of the SWAT Team attended 

SWAT Command Decision-Making and Leadership training. In October 16 SWAT 

Team members attended 32 hours of intense training at Camp Perry. 

The department has two members on the Lake County EOD (Explosive Ordnance 

Disposal) Unit (Bomb Squad). They attended the week-long FBI-VBIED 

Countermeasures training. One Captain is in charge of the unit. The squad has six 

15

technicians and one emergency medical technician. The countywide bomb response 

team trains twice monthly. 

The Hostage Negotiation Team is involved in varied, challenging scenarios roleplayed 

during their training sessions to prepare them for crisis situations. Highly 

emotional events such as suicidal people, armed, barricaded suspects, and hostage 

situations require practicing necessary skills to peacefully resolve volatile situations. 

In addition to their regularly scheduled training, team members attended the Crisis 

Negotiators Conference and Workshop. 

Civilian supervisors oversee operations for Communications, Records, Corrections, 

and Property and Evidence. Non-sworn supervisors received updated computer 

training. Two new Corrections Officers attended training for the Intoxilyzer 8000. The 

Corrections Officers updated their CPR certifications and viewed Corrections-related 

In-the-Line of Duty videos. 

The Safety Forces Communications Technicians attended various training courses 

throughout the year. Training included Dispatcher Training Officer (DTO) School, 

Dispatcher Verbal Judo, and annual LEADS-TAC in-service training. 

Utilizing in-house instructors is economically advantageous. Instructors for 

specialized training attended Taser Instructor re-certification training, OC (pepper 

spray) Instructor training, Ballistic Breaching Instructor training, and OPOTC New 

Pistol Qualification Scoring for the Firearms Instructors. 

During 2012 four new officers were sworn-in. Recruit Officer Training included the 3week 

department orientation. During this program new patrol officers are introduced 

to state statutes, local ordinances, state required report forms, and MDT computer 

training. The orientation includes three days of Defensive Tactics and Range training 

to meet qualification requirements prior to carrying firearms on and off duty. The 

program includes an in-depth study of the department’s General Orders, the 

department mission statement, and code of conduct while on and off duty. Upon 

completion of department orientation the new recruits advance to the 14 weeks of 

field training with a Field Training Officer. 

Our Chaplain Program is now an integral part of our department. While working along 

side patrol officers the Chaplains become familiar with the many facets of police work 

on various shifts. During 2012, two Chaplains attended training titled From Risk to 

Resilience and a Death Notification Seminar. One Chaplain attended training titled: 

Suicide Contagions, while another Chaplain attended Suicide Risks in Older Adults. 

Fleet maintenance employees attended a workshop to prepare them for the 

conversion from the Crown Vic police cars to the new Police Interceptor patrol 

vehicles. 

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission requires each Ohio Peace Officer to 

attend “Continuing Professional Training” for compliance with the Ohio Administrative 

Code 109.803. To comply, all sworn-officers were required to complete Human 

Trafficking training. For many years the Mentor Police Department training 

16

equirements have exceeded the minimal state requirements, particularly firearms 

qualifications and driving skills. 

Training is the viable function that prepares the committed Police Officer to safely 

meet every challenge on the job and to make sure our officers go home to their 

families at the end of their shift. Our commitment to training maintains our police 

department on the cutting edge of police professionalism. 

Court Services 

Court Services is responsible to provide security for the Mentor Municipal Court. The 

Court Liaison’s duties include transporting prisoners to and from the Court and the 

Lake County Jail. The officer also ensures timely delivery of official documents to and 

from the Court including warrants and subpoenas. This officer appears at all 

arraignments in the Mentor Municipal Court in lieu of the arresting officers. The officer 

advises the Judge of basic facts of each case when defendants plead guilty or no 

contest at the arraignment, along with any prior criminal and/ or traffic history. 

The Court Officer performs security checks of the courtroom and surrounding offices 

daily. This officer is in charge of the keyless entry program, which is compatible with 

that of the police department. This allows officers quick access in the event of an 

emergency. The Court Officer also works with other city departments, when city 

employees need access through certain hallways. 

The Court Liaison Officer continues to discuss and review safety and security issues, 

with the court bailiffs, on a regular basis. The bailiffs were apprised of any potential 

problem prisoners before they are brought into the courtroom alleviating most 

problems. 

Prisoner transportation is accomplished through the use of a 2006 GMC Savana 

prisoner transport van. The van has two separate units, holding five prisoners each. 

This allows separation of male and female prisoners. The van is used for other uses 

including document delivery and, on occasion, surveillance. There was 7,708 miles 

traveled using the van in 2012. 

Prisoners Transported 

Warrants Delivered 

Legal Documents Delivered 

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

940 854 937 1012 1114 1466 

720 605 562 728 607 698 

1537 1496 1537 1666 1794 2162 

17

Mental Health Court convenes weekly and handles cases of defendants with mental 

health problems that have contributed to their legal difficulties. These cases are 

referred from local court systems when defendants meet certain eligibility 

requirements. A Lake County Deputy and the Court Liaison Officer provide security 

for this county-wide program. 

Drug Court also convenes weekly, in the Mentor Municipal Court. These defendants 

are in the legal system due to their addiction to drugs. These cases are only Mentor 

Municipal Court cases. The defendants must meet certain eligibility requirements. 

The Court Liaison Officer keeps in contact 

with the Court front door Security Officers to 

insure the security and safety of the Court. 

They apprise the Liaison Officer of any 

potential problems, with defendants, and/or 

victims, coming in and out of the court, or 

defendants coming into the courtroom, from 

the jail. 

The Court Liaison Officer works Monday 

through Friday and Special Officer Greg 

Thurier handles the late scheduled court on 

Bailiff Jeff Atkins and Security Officer Jay Murtaugh 

Monday – Wednesday reducing overtime due 

to the full court docket. When possible, Officer Thurier works full days to fill in for the 

court officer during vacation time. Also, in 2012, patrol officers Vecchione and Murton 

were trained to work court. They are able to fill in when the Court Officer is 

unavailable. 

Volunteer Police Chaplain Program 

The Chaplain program was formally instituted in February of 2009. The current 

members are Rev. Joel Algeri, Rev. Stoney Drain, Fr. Timothy Plavac, Rev. Donald 

Knipp, and Rev. Brian Landrum. These dedicated men have volunteered 330 hours to 

the police department. The unit has instituted quarterly meetings. 

This program has yielded great results. Members of the unit attended training in the 

areas of suicide and death in 2012. The program has reached new development in 

way of counseling. The Chaplains continue to make their services available by writing 

notes to officers, attending retirement parties, department picnics/holiday parties, 

hospital visits, funerals, and ride-a-longs/departmental visits. The Chaplains also 

attended the swearing in of new officers, assisted Crime Prevention during the 

“Protect and Serve” non alcohol juice bar event during the holidays and attended the 

annual “Kops and Kids” Christmas party. 

Chaplain Landrum also participated in the making of a “stress” video for the Mentor 

Police Department. In addition, Chaplain Drain reported the donation of $316.87 

during his department visits and counseling sessions by way of food and beverages. 

Each of these situations resulted in positive feedback from department personnel. 

18

Vehicle Fleet Maintenance 

The Police Department’s motor vehicle fleet is serviced and maintained by the City’s 

Public Works Department Equipment Maintenance Division. 

The Police motor vehicle fleet is comprised of 25 Ford Crown Victoria police package 

models used as basic marked patrol vehicles. These vehicles are operated round the 

clock seven days a week with the exception of two K9 vehicles, which are assigned 

exclusively to officers with K9 partners. All the marked patrol vehicles are model year 

2008 to 2011 with the exception of the K9 vehicles, which are model year 2005. 

Marked patrol vehicles patrolled in excess of 700,000 miles on city streets and 

highways yearly and are generally replaced after three years due to the mileage and 

heavy wear and tear accumulated by vehicles operated under emergency driving 

conditions on a daily basis. With the exception of 2012 when we extended their 

service in excess of three years due to the transition to the new model type 

Interceptors and equipment. 

The Police Department fleet also includes 13 unmarked sedans used by Detectives, 

Command Officers, and Community Service Police Officers, as well as for unmarked 

patrol assignment, surveillance details and prisoner transport. The Department’s 

SWAT unit also is assigned two special purpose vehicles, a van and a 2009 C4500 

truck. These vehicles are used to transport SWAT personnel and their equipment to 

critical incident sites. The bomb squad has three vehicles, which include a P model 

truck, a pick up truck, and an International 4400 detonation vehicle. Also maintained 

are a crime scene van and a Honda 4-wheeler to patrol off road areas. In November 

of 2012 seven new 2013 Ford Interceptors marked patrol sedans and one Utility 

Interceptor were ordered to replace aged vehicles in the patrol fleet. 

In late 2011, Ray Naro was promoted to the City’s Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor 

and Mechanic Rob Rodriguez was hired this year to work with veteran Mechanic Al 

Zenz. They have been very busy preparing the new 2013 model police vehicles while 

maintaining a high level of maintenance on the current fleet. 

Operations Division 

The major goal of the Operations Division is to maintain a safe environment for the 

residents of and visitors to the city through effective and efficient delivery of police 

services. Two main units of the Operations Division are the Patrol Bureau and the 

Criminal Investigations Bureau. Each unit has its own objectives and responsibilities 

which provide guidance to all officers in meeting the goals of the Division. 

Patrol Bureau 

The Patrol Bureau saw some personnel changes in 2012 when two officers resigned. 

Four new officers were hired to fill those openings as well as others created due to 

retirements and transfers elsewhere in the department. These officers are currently in 

their initial field training under the close supervision of both their training officers and 

their immediate supervisors. 

19

The Patrol Bureau works on a twelve hour per day shift. This shift format allows for 

thorough coverage of the city at all times of the day. This 12-hour workday format 

was started in July, 2006 and has been regularly evaluated. It has been found to be 

an effective means to provide quality services to the citizens of Mentor. 

The Patrol Bureau continues to utilize the Aegis report writing system that was 

established in 2003. The system enables officers to write reports more efficiently and 

assists with the gathering and retrieval of information for investigations, statistics, and 

record keeping purposes. In an effort to keep the computer services current with 

changing technology, the police department is in the process of upgrading the current 

system to a windows-based platform for Aegis. The upgrade is anticipated to be 

completed and implemented by the end of 2013. The new software system should 

provide enhanced capabilities, allowing officers access to more information while in 

their patrol cars. 

During the year the patrol division worked hard on many significant criminal 

investigations. Arrests were made for several of the following types of incidents: 

bank robberies; other types of robberies; scrap metal thefts; drug trafficking; and 

weapons violations, along with a host of other criminal offenses. 

The call activity in the department decreased by 72 in 2012 compared to 2011. The 

total number of arrests increased from 2011. Thefts and drug offenses were leading 

arrest categories for both adult and juvenile offenders. The number of drug arrests in 

2012 increased 34% than the number in 2011 while the number of theft arrests 

increased by about 20%. A causative factor to these increases can be attributed to 

the overwhelming abuse of illegal narcotics, specifically Heroin. 

2011 2012 Difference Percent 

change 

Calls for Service 26,556 26,484 - 72 - 2.7% 

Total Arrests 2,241 2,589 + 348 +15.5% 

Adult Arrests 1,950 2,380 +430 + 22% 

Juvenile Arrests 291 209 - 82 - 28.1% 

OVI 351 347 -4 - 1.1% 

Total on Street Accidents 1,822 1682 - 140 - 7.7% 

Total Injury Accidents 389 391 + 2 + 0.05% 

Traffic Cites 6,838 6514 - 324 - 4.7% 

Written Warnings 1,922 2102 +180 + 0.9% 

20

OVI enforcement continues to be a major goal and objective in reducing injury 

accidents. To help in the enforcement of OVI violations, as well as traffic violations in 

general, the department participated in two State of Ohio sponsored traffic 

enforcement programs, “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose” and “What’ s Holding You 

Back”. In addition, the department participated in a high visibility and OVI 

enforcement grant sponsored by the state. 

Traffic crash investigation continues to be a large part of the patrol force workload. 

The number of traffic crashes on the city streets decreased by 7.7% compared to 

2011. Fatal traffic crashes remained the same at two. While the number of traffic 

crashes did decrease in 2012, the department remains vigilant in enforcing traffic laws 

within the city. One goal of the department is to keep citizens driving safe in the city. 

The Patrol Bureau is the backbone of the Police Department. Officers have been 

diligent in their efforts to provide the citizens of Mentor with top quality police service 

to provide a safe community for all. 

Traffic Services 

Although the Selective Enforcement program is a continuous program through the 

year, there were special need cases that needed to be addressed. Various complaints 

are assessed to the need and type of enforcement including Speed Monitoring 

Awareness Radar Trailer (SMART) which is a portable, selfcontained 

speed display unit that can be towed to sites with 

speed-related problems. SMART deployment, special attention 

requested through the daily bulletin, and specific assignments 

to address individual needs for a scheduled period of time. 

In 2012, Lieutenant Dan Molnar managed Traffic Services for 

the police department. Lt. Molnar also managed the road 

officer patrol portion of the Ohio Department of Public Safety 

High Visibility Enforcement Overtime traffic grant. This grant 

consists of Enforcement Blitzes as scheduled throughout the 

year. Blitzes are on dates assigned by ODPS. The dates are 

designated holiday weeks and other periods of high traffic. The goal of these 

enforcement blitzes are directed toward speed and seat belt enforcement, as well as 

alcohol related violations. A monthly grant report is completed along with an end of 

the year report. 

All enforcement efforts and complaints, were documented and addressed and were 

tracked and reviewed after completion. All results were also sent to the Operations 

Commander. There were 32 complaints received through various channels. Most of 

these complaints came through either city council or citizens in the community. 

Fifteen of these complaints were assigned selective enforcement. Fourteen others 

were handled by deployment of the SMART machine. The remaining complaints were 

addressed by requesting periodic checks for the officers through the daily bulletin. 

Complaints coming in from a citizen were followed up with personal contact. All 

feedback received from complainants were positive. All roadway projects were 

coordinated with the Engineering Department. 

21

The police department also conducts a Traffic Calming program. The program was 

assigned to Sgt. Mike Majernik as an ancillary duty. Throughout the year, he 

coordinated his efforts with Lt. Molnar in overseeing the program. The program ran 

from April 2 thru December 10, 2012. Officers are assigned to work at select 

locations in residential areas during the year in an effort to keep citizens in those 

areas safe. The City Public Works Department assists in the Traffic Calming program 

by posting signs in targeted locations during the year. With the cooperation of Judge 

Trebets, officers are encouraged to tighten up their speed enforcement tolerances 

with respect to posted speed limits in these areas throughout the year. It was set up 

in 6-week segments, each representing enforcement efforts equally in all four council 

wards. Enforcement efforts consisted of posting traffic calming signs at each location 

supplemented with traffic enforcement by the patrol force. As a result of this program, 

185 (up from 134) citations and 123 (up from 46) written warnings were issued. This 

is an increase of 28% in traffic calming citations, and an increase of 140% in traffic 

calming warnings. 

Criminal Investigation Bureau 

The Mentor Police Department Detective Bureau consists of a Detective Lieutenant, a 

Detective Sergeant, five general duty detectives, a juvenile detective, two narcotics 

investigators, one School Resource Officer and a secretary. The Detective 

Lieutenant and Detective Sergeant are responsible for the administration of the 

Detective Bureau and the management of the Narcotics Unit as well as Internal 

Affairs investigations, School Resource Officer program, Safety Town program, 

Evidence Technician program, Video Forensic program, Computer Forensic program, 

the Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) program and overall management of 

criminal investigations assigned to the Detective Bureau. The Detective Bureau also 

administers the program of registering armed security officers working in the city and 

conducting background investigations on applicants for positions within the Police 

Department. 

The Detectives are responsible for follow-up on all assigned cases until such time the 

case can be cleared or satisfactorily closed. Cases can be cleared in several ways: 

closed by arrest, restitution to the victim, referral to the agency that has jurisdiction on 

the case, determining no crime was actually committed or exhausting all investigative 

leads. Detectives also are encouraged to self-initiate investigations from information 

developed from other means such as civilian contacts, confidential informants or 

referrals from other agencies or sources. Detectives are also responsible for 

assisting and supporting the patrol division in investigations when the need arises. 

Mentor Police Department 

9,530 likes · 155 were here 

The Detective Bureau is attempting to keep up with the 

technology. The Detective Bureau created a Facebook 

account to assist with investigations. Several cases have 

been solved with help from the public in identifying 

surveillance photographs of offenders posted on Facebook. 

The Mentor Police Department is a member of SPAN, which consists of Detectives 

from throughout Lake County, eastern Cuyahoga County and several state and 

22

federal agencies. This organization meets once a month to share information on 

investigations. 

In 2012, Sergeant Richard Slovenkay received the 

prestigious Terrorism Liaison Officer of the Year award 

presented by the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion 

Center. The Terrorism Liaison Officer of the Year award 

is presented to a Terrorist Liaison Officer (TLO) who in 

the previous year had passed along valuable 

crime/terrorist tips and leads back to the Fusion Center 

in promotion of our TLO program. 

Sgt. Slovenkay shared several pieces of criminal and 

terrorist related intelligence information back to the 

Fusion Center which proved very valuable to the safety 

and security of the citizens of Northeast Ohio. Two 

notable leads related to the distribution of the illegal 

drug Ecstasy in the form of the candy Gummy Bears, 

and another lead which potentially provided a needed 

piece of a larger nationwide terrorist puzzle. Sgt. Slovenkay has been described by 

William Schenkelberg, director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center, as 

follows: “Sgt. Slovenkay truly understands the value of forwarding and sharing 

information to the Fusion Center and fellow law enforcement agencies.” 

Computer Forensics Unit 

The unit forensically processes computers and other electronic devices to obtain 

evidence of computer related crimes. The crimes can include child pornography or 

any other purpose a computer could be used to facilitate a crime. The department 

works with the Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force for training and 

assistance with examinations. The department has only one officer trained in this 

field. During 2012, he processed five computer hard drives related to crimes in the 

city or other agencies. He worked with the Electronic Crimes Task Force to assist him 

in some of his cases while at the same time being assigned to cases by the task 

force. This work will continue with the Electronic Crimes Task Force in 2013. 

Video Forensic Unit 

This Unit processes and enhances video from various sources. The unit uses a 

Video Forensic Computer system utilizing Avid software. Two detectives are currently 

trained in this systems use. This is the only system of its kind in Lake County, 

resulting in numerous requests from other departments and city and county 

prosecutors for video projects. Video projects are used in identifying suspects from 

video and hopefully aid in their successful prosecution. This system also allows for 

enhanced still photos from videos to be distributed to media outlets and other law 

enforcement agencies to aid in the identification of suspects. In 2012, 21 video 

projects were conducted. 

23

Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) 

There are six Detectives that are certified Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer 

operators. The CVSA is used as a tool in conducting criminal investigations and 

bringing them to a successful conclusion. In 2012, the Detective Bureau conducted 

two CVSA tests. 

Evidence Technicians 

The Mentor Police Department Evidence Technician Program consisted of 19 patrol 

officers as well as all 8 of the detectives in the Detective Bureau. The Evidence 

Technicians are a valuable asset to the Mentor Police Department. Their duties 

include photographing and collecting evidence. The photographs they take are of 

both crime scenes and victims of crimes. The evidence they collect includes 

fingerprints, tool marks and impressions, shoe and tire prints, DNA and trace 

evidence (hairs and fibers) left at the 

crime scene. 

Evidence Technicians were called 

upon to process 690 cases in 2012. 

Their work is crucial for successful 

prosecution in many cases. 

Detectives processed 7 search 

warrants/consent searches of homes 

and businesses to collect evidence 

relating to their investigations. The 

Detective Bureau was also used to 

assist other agencies to help process 

four additional search warrant scenes. 

Evidence Technician training was 

conducted over four days in February 

to accommodate all of the E.T. 

schedules. The training consisted of a block of instruction on Blood Stain/Spatter 

Analysis and Touch DNA Evidence. This instruction was provided by The Ohio 

Bureau of Criminal Investigation, (BCI) and Special Agent of The BCI Crime Scene 

Unit. Additional training was conducted by Detectives Collier and Zigman at the 

Mentor Police Department. The training consisted of a photography review, including 

night time photography. All evidence technicians and detectives attended the 

training. 

Several Detectives attended the Ohio Identification Officers Association three day 

conferences in Cincinnati. This training consisted of case studies of homicide 

investigations including the Casey Anthony homicide investigation, and the Anthony 

Sowell serial murders. Workshops were also presented on topics of fingerprinting, 

forensic light sources for crime scenes, courtroom testimony, and lifting latent prints 

from unusual surfaces. Several Detectives and ET’s attended four separate classes 

from the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office. Those classes offered training in wound 

analysis and cases studies in death investigations. 

24

Narcotics 

In 2012, the Narcotics Unit again primarily 

investigated drug trafficking offenses in and 

around the city of Mentor. After statistical 

analysis, the Unit found a dramatic increase in 

heroin related crimes (i.e. retail theft, 

burglaries, and drug abuse instruments). Most 

potential informants are predominantly 

addicted to opiates (i.e. heroin, Oxycodone 

etc.) making them at times challenging to use 

for long term investigations. 

Heroin from narcotics arrest: 

Communication with patrol continues to 

improve as narcotics detectives have been 

available to them any time via phone. They 

continued to provide drug updates, recent Lake 

county case law and other tips to patrol via roll 

call. Patrol continues to be instrumental in our success by providing tips and most 

importantly, informants. Due to the example lead by the Narcotics Unit, this is the first 

year patrol has seized more than the Narcotics Unit. In addition, patrol officers have 

become more familiar and comfortable with forfeiture procedures. 

This year there were several aggressive patrol officers assigned to the Narcotics Unit 

for a month at a time when manpower permitted. This gave the Unit the ability to 

conduct several proactive vice type of investigations. These types of investigations 

included but are not limited to hotel interdiction and prostitution enforcement. 

The Unit continues to organize and 

streamline all of the money and 

vehicle forfeitures made by the Mentor 

Narcotics and patrol units by using the 

Microsoft Excel format. The 

information is now in a shareable 

database allowing all involved to 

access and update information as it 

comes in. The Mentor Narcotics Unit 

and the City of Mentor prosecutor’s 

office are now able to better track our 

forfeitures with easy to use forms that are submitted with cases from both the 

Narcotics Unit and the Patrol Division. 

A new responsibility for the Narcotics Unit is to have a training seminar with newly 

hired patrol officers. The Unit takes this opportunity to not only train the new hires on 

narcotics related material but to readdress search and seizure and current case law. 

One narcotics detective has been assigned to the Lake County/ United States 

Marshals Service Task Force. This appointment has been very instrumental in 

building a partnership with the United States Marshals Service and the Mentor Police 

Department. 

25

2012 Statistics (includes patrol investigations) 

Item Weight/Quantity Est. Street Value 

Marijuana 1,888.37 grams (4 lbs) $10,000.00 

Drug Paraphernalia 922 pieces N/A 

Cocaine 30.7 grams $1,500.00 

Prescription Pills 1,913.5 pills $50,000.00 

Heroin 30.9 grams $4,000.00 

MDMA 103.1 grams $10,000.00 

Methamphetamine 2.70 grams $250.00 

Total $75,750.00 

Firearms seized 

Vehicles seized 

Vehicles forfeited 

Vehicles towed but not seized are NOT included in this list. Several of 

the seized vehicles are currently awaiting court forfeiture 

Currency Seized in 2012* 

Currency Returned to suspects 

Currency outstanding (pending cases) 

Currency Forfeited to MPD 

Pending cases include numerous open items where cases 

are closed but where it is unknown from the court case if the 

money is officially forfeited to MPD 

*Narcotics Unit seized $8,342.00. 

Confidential Informants 5 

Buy walks 9 

Buy busts 12 

$255,471.00 

$31.00 

$164,196.00 

$91,275.44 

1 

17 

9 

26

School Resource Officer 

The SRO works at the high school and interacts with the students, faculty, and school 

administration. He provides a law enforcement figure students can approach for 

information, guidance or help. The SRO is responsible for investigating crimes and 

complaints that are committed on school property, and making arrests when 

appropriate. He also aids in seeing that school board rules and guidelines are 

followed, and teaches some classes that are law enforcement related. 

In 2012, the SRO handled 48 investigations that resulted in 30 arrests. Several of 

these arrests were drug related. One of the investigations involved the arrest of two 

juveniles for bomb threats at the school. 

The School Resource Officer helps conduct Safety Town during the summer months. 

Safety Town is a program sponsored by the Junior Women’s Club of Mentor. Safety 

Town teaches young children basic personal and community skills such as fire 

prevention, traffic rules, stranger awareness, and domestic safety just to name a few. 

In 2012 there were two, one - week (morning and afternoon) sessions. 

Case Load 

In 2012, the Detective Bureau investigated 279 new cases. The Detective Bureau 

cleared 284 cases with 146 cases being cleared by arrest or other means. The 

Bureau also closed an additional 138 cases as closed pending. 

Total Cases 

Case Load 2009 2010 2011 2012 

Significant Events 

305 274 330 279 

Total Cleared 274 276 314 284 

Cleared by Arrest/other means 178 189 214 146 

Cases Closed Pending 96 87 100 138 

The numbers indicate cases that were assigned in 2012 and cases cleared or closed in 2012. A portion 

of the cleared and closed cases are carryover cases from 2011 that were not completed until 2012. 

During 2012 the Detective Bureau conducted numerous misuse of credit card and 

bad check cases. Identity Theft has become an ever increasing crime that the 

Detective Bureau has been tasked with investigating. The venue issue can be difficult 

with many of these. The Detective Bureau has made significant use of the NICLE 

(National Identity Crimes Law Enforcement) system through the US Postal Service 

Office, since the Ohio Attorney General’s Office canceled the ID theft Passport 

program. It has also become evident that the investigators rely more and more on the 

internet as a major resource in doing their investigations. 

27

The Detective Bureau was involved in several significant cases in 2012 including: 

• Lead Agency of the Auto Theft/Motorcycle and Truck theft task force which 

culminated in the arrest of two suspects in Mentor. This led to state and 

federal charges against 9 people, including the two arrested in Mentor. 

• Rape investigation and arrest of 21 yr. old male for rape involving a 13 yr. old 

• The investigation and arrest of an autistic adult charged with several counts of 

Gross Sexual Imposition of minors. 

• Drug laced Gummy Bears arrest. 

• 17 cases solved as a result of information received through department’s 

Facebook page. 

• Multiple burglary investigations and arrest of Ferguson/Medley in early 2012. 

• Successful search of Mentor Lagoons for missing suicidal adult. 

• PNC bank robbery arrest. 

• Shell robbery/ crime spree involving Chardon and Willoughby police. 

• Rape investigation/arrest on Cedarwood Dr. 

• Investigation of possible child abuse involving shaken baby allegation. 

Property & Evidence 

Property & Evidence provides a safe and secure location for all items turned in. To 

accomplish this task, the Unit must follow a strict chain of evidence. 

Property & Evidence also handles the state of the art Key Scan system that helps 

secure the Police building and City Hall. The system allows limited access to sensitive 

areas and reporting software that can track all 

access gained and denied to these areas. The 

Key Scan cards can be turned on and off and 

access changed in a matter of minutes via 

computer, thereby eliminating the need for 

costly lock changes. 

In 2012, this office processed a total of 5,395 

(up from 4,920 in 2011) combined pieces of 

evidence, found property, recovered property 

and seized property. All items were logged into 

the computer and placed in a safe location with 

the chain of evidence strictly maintained. 

Property & Evidence transported 1,161 items (up from 1,004 in 2011) to the Lake 

County Crime lab, BCI, this year and will continue daily runs to the labs in 2013. 

28

When items are no longer needed as evidence, they are either given back to the 

owner, destroyed if illegal, or sold at the annual city auction. In 2012, 602 items were 

returned to 200 citizens and transported 165 pieces of evidence to the Lake County 

Prosecutors Office. Also 551 entries, mostly drugs, were destroyed. At the city 

auction in June, approximately 170 items were sold with a profit after costs of 

approximately $2,257.00. 

Disposition 2009 2010 2011 

Entries: 

Destroyed Items – Drugs 736 635 605 

Destroyed Items - Knives 0 56 0 

Destroyed Items - Guns 0 72 53 

Returned Property 283 324 350 

Auctioned Property 148 ($1.500.00) No Auction 177 ($2,446.50) 

No radar equipment calibrations were completed this year with many units replaced 

with new in 2012. The calibration of the units installed in the police vehicles is 

normally completed via a Mobile unit from Western Reserve Electronics on site thus 

saving both time and money for the city. The Laser radar units are transported to 

Western Reserve Electronics where the calibration is completed by their in house 

technicians. 

Property & Evidence took on a new responsibility in 2011 in maintaining the Lake 

County Prescription Drug Drop Box located in the police department lobby. This box 

enables citizens to rid their medicine cabinets of unwanted prescription medications. 

In 2012, 36 large bags of drugs weighing approximately 988 pounds, dropped off by 

citizens, were transported to Lake County Narcotics Agency to be destroyed. 

In 2013 the Unit will continue to provide the best service possible to both the Police 

Department and to the general public while maintaining the tight controls on the 

property and evidence entrusted to our care. 

29

Specialty Teams 

Accident Investigation Unit 

The Mentor Police Department Accident Investigation Unit consists of three patrol 

officers. All three officers are level two crash investigators. 

In 2012 the Mentor Accident Investigation Unit joined the multi jurisdictional Lake 

County Regional Accident Investigation Unit (Lake CRU). In September the city 

purchased a Total Station. This equipment is used for sophisticated and more 

efficient crash diagramming. The Unit then needed to update city data in the 

CrashZone software. The Unit and two officers of Lake CRU trained using this 

equipment and the vc2000 that is used for skid testing. 

Officers assisted in several crashes throughout the year including three fatal crashes, 

two of which involved single motorcycle fatalities. 

Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit 

In 2012, the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit (ACE) was comprised of 4 patrol 

officers and two narcotic detectives. During the first half of 2012, patrol officers 

worked ACE only as manpower permitted. A portion of a Justice Assistance Grant 

(JAG) allowed for more use of ACE officers during the second half of the year. There 

was over 250 grant overtime hours used during the last six months of the year. 

The unit had a very proactive and productive year. Officers contributed to making 198 

drug related arrests, 30 of which were drug trafficking arrests. The unit seized 7 cars 

and over $157,000 cash. The unit made 121 warrant arrests, 3 of which were out-ofstate 

felony fugitives from justice. The unit also referred several cases to the 

Narcotics Unit that led to more arrests. 

Based on criminal intelligence information, ACE officers were used to address drug 

and prostitution problems at area hotels. Their efforts led to 14 drug related arrests, 9 

prostitution related arrests, and 13 warrant arrests. A small portion of the ACE grant 

was used to accomplish this task. 

Two officers attended a class on concealed compartments used for drug trafficking. 

All four officers are scheduled to attend a class on interdiction roadside interviewing in 

2013. Training is essential for our ACE officers to stay current with interdiction 

procedures and ever-changing case law. 

Bicycle/ATV Unit 

In 2012, the Bicycle Patrol Unit remained a valuable tool 

and unit for the police department. In April, the Unit 

conducted annual training at Ray’s Indoor Mountain 

Bike Park and included a bike/handgun qualification 

course. The Bicycle Refresher course training helps 

prepare officers physically and mentally for riding in the 

summer months. The bikes were also serviced with one 

bike found unusable and will be replaced in 2013. 

30

Currently the Bike Unit has nine members. Although the goal was to have ten 

members through 2012, the unit only gained one member. The goal continues to be 

a unit with ten members. 

The Bike Patrol Unit managed to log 39 shifts on the road this year. This is an 

increase of nearly 33% of what they were able to ride in 2011. This was largely due 

to federal JAG funding for community service events. Officers were scheduled as 

part of their normal work day as well. 

The Bike Unit participated in the Memorial Day parade, Special Olympics Torch Run, 

opening day for Mentor Youth Baseball, Law 

Day, Pinegate Ride to School day, Mentor Bike 

day, Summer Concert Series, Family Fun day, 

Christmas in July, Old Village Market, Camp 

911, Fourth of July and the IBIM Festival. The 

Bike Unit arrested 2 juvenile males for marijuana 

possession at the IBIM Festival. In addition, the 

unit also spends time on city side streets and in 

the parks. 

This year the unit focused attention on 

community gathering places and a commitment 

to writing more bicycle helmet safety citations. There were 177 safety citations written 

department wide this year which is an increase of 54 over 2011. 

Only one patrolman, one detective and one special officer are currently assigned to 

the ATV. The ATV was utilized during Memorial Day weekend in the Lagoons as the 

“boating season” kicked off. The ATV was also used in searching for a suicidal male 

in the Lagoons. It was used during 4 th of July and at the IBIM festival. The goal for 

2013 would be to add another officer or two to this unit. 

Both the Bike Unit and ATV continue to have their niche in the police department and 

are great PR tools for the department. Citizens still routinely comment on how they 

love seeing the bikes and the ATV. 

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 

The year 2012 was the 20 th 

anniversary of the Lake County Bomb Squad which 

began with two technicians from the Mentor Police Department back in 1992. Due to 

the requirements established by the FBI and National Bomb Squad Commanders 

Advisory Board, Mentor joined resources with the Lake County Crime Lab in order to 

receive recognition as an Accredited Bomb Squad. This status entitles the squad to 

receive bomb disposal equipment distributed by the United States Departments of 

Justice and Homeland Security through the field offices of the FBI and the State and 

local Emergency Management Agencies. The squad responds to calls in Lake, 

Geauga and Ashtabula counties. 

Since the spring of 2007, the Mentor Police Department has had operational oversight 

of the squad, received from the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, while administrative 

oversight has been provided by the Lake County Emergency Management Agency. 

31

This cooperative working arrangement has served the squad and community well for 

several years. It was made to keep the squad operational in the region. During this 

time, the team has continued to provide excellent service to the tri-county region. 

Additionally, the team has acquired equipment to keep up to date on processes of 

mitigating hazardous devices and situations. 

The squad started the year with ten members. During the year, a part-time Mentor 

Police Office retired from the department and the team. An additional member had to 

drop off the squad due to conflicts with his home department. The remaining eight 

team members represent seven agencies: Mentor Police Department, Mentor Fire 

Department, Painesville Township Fire Department, Eastlake Police Department, 

Wickliffe Police Department, Geauga County Parks District, and the Geauga County 

Sheriff’s Department. At year’s end there were five certified bomb technicians, one 

emergency medical technician, and one explosives certified dog team. One Wickliffe 

patrolman attended the FBI Hazardous Device School to become certified as a bomb 

technician and graduated in November, 2012. 

Each month the team trains twice. This is to ensure continued familiarity with 

equipment and methods introduced by the FBI. Additional training was received from 

the FBI covering topics including improvised explosives, homemade explosives, and 

vehicle borne explosive devices. 

The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), 

through the U.S. Bomb Data Center, maintain a database of bomb and arson related 

incidents. Bomb Squads are required to document activity in this database. In 2012 

our Squad was recognized by the ATF as having 100% reporting accuracy when 

using this system. Of the over 400 public safety bomb squads in the country, only 10 

had this distinction. 

32

During the year the bomb squad was 

utilized 49 times. Examples of 

incidents to which the squad 

responded include: suspicious 

packages, recovery of munitions, 

military ordnance (including several 

live hand grenades), recovery of 

improvised explosives, recovery of 

improvised incendiary devices, 

dignitary protection (including 

President Barack Obama and 

presidential candidate Mitt Romney), 

among others. Each incident 

presented a unique challenge for the squad. Fortunately there were no injuries or 

accidents related to the calls. The team also destroyed property turned in by 

communities in the region. This included old ammunition (about 160 pounds), 

fireworks (about 50 pounds), expired gas canisters, flares and mortars. 

The team currently possesses equipment necessary to perform hazardous device 

recovery and disposal. This includes bomb suits, a robot, hazardous material 

equipment, three vehicles, a bomb disposal trailer, identification tools, and a host of 

other equipment. The Bomb Squad applied for a grant through the United States 

Department of Homeland Security for a new response vehicle. The application was 

approved and the new truck is expected to be delivered in 2013. 

In conclusion, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit has provided a necessary, 

important service to the residents of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula Counties for over 

20 years. In light of the ever present risk of attacks by foreign and domestic terrorists, 

the Unit has proven to be a valuable asset to the community and the various cities 

within the three-county region. Continued operation and support is essential to the 

safety and well being of the citizens of the City of Mentor and the region. 

Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) 

The Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) is a specialized unit within the Mentor Police 

Department that has been trained to handle communications in crisis and hostage 

situations. The HNT’s primary goal in any crisis situation is the preservation of life 

and the peaceful resolution of the crisis through open communication and negotiation, 

thereby minimizing the need for the use of force. In all hostage situations the ultimate 

goal is the release of all hostages unharmed and the apprehension of the suspect, 

while maintaining the safety of the general public and officers involved. 

During crisis situations, the HNT works under the control of the scene commander 

and also works alongside patrol officers, SWAT team members, bomb disposal 

officers, and/or other specialized units. HNT members are also responsible for 

gathering and providing intelligence information to field and tactical commanders in 

case a tactical resolution is necessary. The HNT Unit is called upon to communicate 

with suicidal, armed, and/or barricade subjects. HNT is led by Lieutenant Tim Allen 

who was appointed team leader and is in charge of four negotiators. Negotiators 

33

trained five times reviewing scenarios and staying familiar with specialized equipment. 

Officers also joint trained with SWAT. Three officers attended the Midwest Crisis 

Negotiators Conference in Columbus, Ohio. 

The most serious situation HNT responded to in 2012 involved a male who had fired a 

rifle several times in his back yard and refused to speak with patrol officers. The male 

was known to possess many guns and was possibly heavily armed at the time, 

intoxicated, and had made threats to police in the past. A total of 32 phone calls were 

made to the male over 3.5 hours in attempts to negotiate with him. After gas was 

inserted into the home, the male surrendered to SWAT. Other call-outs included a 

suicidal female who would not answer her door, and a male that had ran from police 

reportedly with a gun, and hid under a residential porch. In both situations, 

negotiators were able to talk the person into surrendering to police. 

K-9 Unit 

The Mentor Police K9 Program became a fully operational unit again in 2012. 

Patrolman Terry Wurgler and his K9 partner Titan completed their first year as an 

operational K9 Team. Patrolman Bill Mackey and his K9 partner Bo completed 6 

weeks of initial training at Shallow Creek Kennels during the months of April and May. 

They became an operational K9 Team on May 21 st . Both K9 Teams were assigned to 

the Midnight Shift platoons. 

During the year 2012 both K9 

Teams were involved in a total of 

174 uses that included 16 mutual aid 

requests,2 area searches, 15 

building searches, 26 subject 

trackings, 35 community policing 

activities, 75 narcotics sniffs and 5 

suspect apprehensions. Two of 

these suspect apprehensions 

resulted in K9 bites of non-compliant 

felony suspects. In addition, both K9 

teams made or assisted with 27 

misdemeanor and 14 felony arrests. 

Both K9 Teams were involved in a 

multi-jurisdictional K9 sniff at 

Ptl. Mackey and Bo 

Chardon High School. They also accomplished similar sniff activities at all Mentor 

Middle Schools. They walked through numerous locations with large gatherings such 

as the Great Lakes Mall, Mentor High School football games, Its Better in Mentor 

Festival, etc. 

Both K9 Officers helped to initiate a plan for training and familiarizing all Mentor Police 

Department Officers with the use of K9s and supporting the handlers during K9 

deployments. This training was conducted during the December range dates. They 

also trained with the Mentor Swat Team to learn how the K9s could support Swat 

during tactical operations. Both K9 Teams were called upon on numerous occasions 

to assist the ACE unit with drug interdiction activities. 

34

In March, Patrolman Wurgler and K9 

Titan attended a “Meet and Greet” 

event at Crossroads. The children 

there previously held a car wash and 

had collected $500 which they 

donated to the Mentor Police K9 

Fund. 

In August, both K9 Teams were 

involved in the Lake County Humane 

Society “Mutt Strut” held at Mentor 

City Hall. This was the first time both 

K9 Teams were involved in a public 

demonstration event. 

In September, both K9 Teams were 

involved in a “Meet and Greet” social event at the Mentor Police Department. This 

was attended by the City Manager, Members of City Council, K9 Fund Donors, and 

other citizens interested in the K9 Program at the Mentor Police Department. This 

event was a great success. 

New equipment was purchased for the K9 Unit including new K9 badges, ballistic 

vests for both K9 Titan and K9 Bo from K9 Storm, new muzzles, and new bite 

sleeves, hidden sleeves, and training sleeves. The Unit also received K9 trading 

cards to be given out to area children. 

Both K9 Teams are relatively new and have progressed and improved during 2012. 

Both handlers are eager to learn how their K9 partners can contribute to the overall 

mission of the Mentor Police Department. They have been exposed to a wide variety 

of uses and they have gained confidence and experience with each K9 use. 

Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) 

Last year marked the 32 nd year the Mentor Police Special Weapons and Tactics 

(SWAT) team has been in existence. The team provides tactical support capabilities 

to augment the patrol response to crisis situations, and offers support for the 

surrounding communities. 

The team consists of 17 tactical officers from Mentor and Kirtland Hills, and is 

augmented by the Hostage Negotiations Unit, the K-9 Unit, and The Lake County 

Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Unit. The year 2012 marked the end of an era with 

Captain Jeff Reese retiring in January after serving as the Team Commander for 31 

years. Lieutenant Ken Zbiegien was named as the new Team Commander. Sgt. Tim 

Nekic served as the Assistant Team Commander until his retirement from the team in 

late October. Team leaders are Lt. Dan Molnar and Patrolman Scott Bell who assist 

with planning out training and the execution of tactical operations. 

In 2012 the Mentor SWAT Team had seven call outs. In 2012, the team assisted the 

Lake County Narcotics Unit with a controlled delivery of a substantial amount of 

marijuana to a home in Mentor, Eastlake Police on executing a search warrant, and 

providing dignitary protection during the Presidential campaign. During 2012 the Unit 

35

also responded to a barricaded suicidal female and two separate incidents of 

barricaded and armed men. 

The SWAT Team continued to train 10 hours per day, one day per month. The 

Sniper Team trained an additional 10 hour day per month. In October, the entire 

SWAT Team traveled to Camp Perry, Ohio for a 4 day training session. Teams 

trained with HNT, K-9, Bomb Squad as well as other departments throughout the 

year. The Team also enhanced its scouting, surveillance, and searching capabilities 

with the addition of the Recon Scout search robot. 

Support Services 

The Support Services Division of the Police Department is comprised of three units 

that supplement the Patrol and Detective Bureaus. These include the 

Communications Unit, the Corrections Unit, and the Records Unit. In addition, the 

Support Services Division serves as the liaison with the citywide Information 

Technology Department. Without the dedicated service of the men and women who 

work in these units the department as a whole would not operate as smoothly as it 

does. 

Communication Division 

The primary goal of Safety Communications is to provide high quality assistance to 

the public in an efficient, courteous, and timely manner. This includes responding to 

requests for service from the public for Police, Fire and Rescue forces. Also included 

in this goal is to provide support to those forces responding to the protection and 

service of the City. 

Number of Calls 

16,000 

15,000 

14,000 

13,000 

12,000 

11,000 

10,000 

2012 Communications Division Total Phone Calls 

Processed (155,888) 

January 

February 

12,023 

March 

10,794 

12,445 12,329 

April 

May 

13,835 14,036 

June 

July 

August 

Month 

15,079 

13,653 

September 

October 

12,191 

November 

14,307 

December 

12,827 

12,369 

Phone Calls 

36

A total of 155,888 telephone calls were processed by dispatch. The number of calls 

that came in over 911 lines was 17,014. The average phone answer time by dispatch 

for the year was 3.1 seconds, with 911 calls being answered in an average of 0.42 

seconds. Requests for Police assistance totaled 26,484 for the year. Requests for 

Fire/Rescue totaled 7,264, a 4% increase over 2011. Additionally, Communications 

Technicians entered a total of 688 warrants into LEADS in 2012, an 18% increase 

over 2011. 

In 2012 Mentor Dispatch processed 20 Lake County Mutual Aid Box Alarm 

(M.A.B.A.S.) requests, remaining consistent with the previous year, and dispatched 

28 Fire Mutual Aid requests from surrounding communities. 

Dispatch made 249 notifications via the MIR3 Alert System in order to recall 

emergency personnel and activate special teams. In making these notifications, the 

MIR3 made 6,029 individual phone calls, saving dispatchers’ valuable time. 

Mentor’s Communications Dispatchers received a total of 500 combined hours of 

training in 2012. Over 388 of these hours were completed in-house at no cost. The 

remaining 112 hours of training were attended off site. 

Dispatcher Suzy Sistek presented the “9-1-1 For Kids” program for the fourth 

consecutive year to over 600 students in Mentor and Mentor on the Lake Schools 

during the month of April. The program has been well received, with 2013 dates 

already scheduled. Additionally, dispatchers once again donated their time to 

participate in “Kops-n-Kids” in December and “adopted” a Lake County family in need 

for Christmas. 

The Communications Division underwent some personnel changes in 2012. One 

new part-time dispatcher successfully completed the training program in December. 

The video monitoring system in dispatch was upgraded in 2012 to allow viewing of all 

19 cameras simultaneously. The monitors are much larger, allowing each camera 

feed to be viewable by all five dispatch positions. The new equipment also allows for 

future expansion and has IP capabilities. 

37

Corrections Unit 

Prior to August 1982, the Department only maintained a two cell, four hour holding 

facility in the basement of the old station, relying heavily on Lake County Jail to house 

all long term prisoners. When the police department was moved to the new facility 

and the jail put into use, the department gained a five-day holding facility with ten 

individual cells, two court holding cells, a detoxification cell, holding cell, kitchen area, 

prisoner showers, laundry room, visiting rooms, interview room, sally port, and jail 

office booking area. At that time the police department began to sever itself from the 

high costs and dependency on the Lake County Jail. In August 1982, the police 

department moved from Hopkins Road to the new facility on Civic Center Boulevard. 

Part of this expansion was the institution of the Mentor City Jail. The jail was one of 

the newest and most modern facilities in the State of Ohio at the time. From August 

1982 until July 2005, Mentor City Jail was still classified as a 5-day holding facility. 

This classification changed in 2005 and the Jail now falls under the new 12-Day Jail 

Classification. 

The Mentor City Jail is staffed by six (6) full time correction officers twenty-four hours 

a day. These officers are trained specifically in the area of Corrections. 

The Jail has continued to use prisoner work assignments to keep the grounds clean 

and free of debris and leaves, keeping the jail clean, and to insure the Jail maintains 

an acceptable level of cleanness and sanitation on a routine basis. Jail security 

systems, such as locking devices and some of the cell plumbing are repaired and 

maintained in-house by corrections officers. The police department shooting range 

which is located directly below the jail was soundproofed for 2005 to comply with 

State of Ohio Jail Standards for sound levels in a detention facility. 

The average daily population of the Mentor City Jail in 2012 was 4.3 prisoners a day. 

There was a 14% increase in the number of persons held temporarily for court 

appearances for the Mentor Municipal Court from the Lake County Jail and Mentor on 

the Lake Police Department compared to the year of 2011. Mentor City Jail has 

continued to house 100% of persons committed by the Mentor Municipal Court. 

2009 2010 2011 2012 

Prisoners Processed 2,139 2,210 1,975 2,354 

Persons Sentenced 98 54 87 85 

Persons Unsentenced 2,095 2,156 1,888 2,269 

Persons Temporarily Held 500 559 556 638 

Juveniles Processed 113 84 77 74 

There was a 2% decrease in the amount of persons sentenced by Mentor Municipal 

Court in 2012. There was a 19% increase in the number of persons processed at the 

Mentor City Jail, compared to the year 2011. 

38

The Department started paying the Medicaid rate for prisoner medical care at the 

hospital as opposed to 50% of the bill as we had been. This change was made 

pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code. As a result we paid $46,414 less in medical bills 

than we would have had we still been paying the rate of 50%. 

Corrections Officers at the Mentor City Jail collected $384,904.58 in bonds and fines 

for the Mentor Municipal Court in 2012. 

Mentor City Jail has continued to maintain effective per day housing cost by good 

food service management and prisoner work assignments. There was an increase in 

the number of meals served, and an 18% increase in the amount spent on food. The 

amount of $2.33 per meal is still well below the average, according to the Ohio 

Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Annual Jail Report, which shows $3.76 

as the average cost per meal for a 12-day jail facility. 

2009 2010 2011 2012 

Meals Served 4,756 4,526 4,274 5,269 

Amount Spent $12,564.80 $11,041.47 $10,386.60 $12,179.53 

Quarterly reports are forwarded to the Ohio Department of Youth Services Bureau of 

Community Based Programs to show that the Jail is in compliance in holding 

juveniles, as required by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. 

The number of juveniles processed in Mentor Jail for the last several years has been 

fairly steady. There was a % decrease from 2011 (77 juveniles) to 2012 (74 

juveniles). 

Juveniles Processed through the Mentor Corrections Facility 

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

85 74 74 80 84 77 74 

The Jail has continued to comply with current Jail Standards that are mandated by the 

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Bureau of Adult Detention. 

However, due to budget constraints, the state of Ohio did not conduct a State Jail 

Inspection in 2012. The state is developing an electronic means of “self-inspections” 

and is expected to implement this new procedure in the near future. 

In-house jail inspections and searches are performed weekly. These include full 

inspection of the cells, bedding supplies, dayrooms, showers, security devices, visual 

inspection of sprinkler heads, heat detectors, emergency evacuation signs, cameras, 

audio monitors, and sanitation. 

Mentor City Jail is inspected annually by the Mentor Fire Department. The jail was 

again in compliance with no deficiencies. The Jail is inspected semi-annually by 

Glenridge Pest Control and they apply preventive application for the jail for the control 

of insects. As of this date no deficiencies or pest problems have occurred. 

39

Records Department 

The Records Unit began the year by further expanding Notary service capability. 

There are three certified notaries in the department providing this service beginning at 

6:00 a.m. daily. It has been a very busy year servicing the public and responding to 

public records requests. The below chart shows the number and type of requests 

handled throughout the year. The Unit has also completed the annual document 

reduction and shredding activity. 

Requests 

2000 

1500 

1000 

500 

0 

Public Records Requests 

Total 2012 

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

On Post 8-5 55 58 72 84 71 62 69 75 71 65 63 72 

Case Rpt 159 131 142 158 166 182 215 190 175 212 164 164 

Accident Rpt 433 390 259 339 336 428 394 415 371 506 364 403 

Info 754 681 830 873 802 836 759 772 651 870 756 629 

Safety Citations 0 0 0 0 12 32 12 15 2 0 0 0 

Total 1,401 1,260 1,303 1,454 1,387 1,540 1,449 1,467 1,270 1,653 1,347 1,268 

The Records Department has assumed additional responsibilities this year including 

department wide ordering of office supplies and printer cartridges, managing off duty 

work assignments for the officers, and the administration of the petty cash 

disbursements for the department. Each of these duties utilizes technology as much 

as possible, thereby reducing paper flow whenever possible. The Unit continues to 

develop ad hoc data base queries to provide responses both internally and externally 

for information requests. An emergency contact data base for dispatch and 

supervisors has been developed and anticipated to be implemented in early 2013. 

This year the Records Room received a much needed updating makeover. Updated 

workstations not only provide a better appearance for the public coming to the 

window, but more importantly, provide a more comfortable, efficient, and ergonomic 

work environment for the members of the department. 

40

A very significant project was undertaken this year by 

the Records Clerks to renovate and upgrade the 

display case in the Police Department lobby. It was 

painted, modernized, and updated to show current 

activities of the department. As this is one of the first 

things the public sees when coming in to the 

department, it is our department’s hope that this will 

always put our “best foot forward” for the general 

public. The goal is to rotate the information displayed 

in the case on a quarterly basis. 

The Records Room Unit is looking forward to meeting 

the challenges of 2013, with the primary goal to 

continue to provide outstanding customer service to 

both our internal and external customers. 

41

42 

MENTOR POLICE DEPARTMENT 

2012 

Chief of 

Police 

Operations 

Division 

Admin 

Support 

Internal 

Affairs 

Victims 

Assistance 

Program 

First 

Platoon 

Second 

Platoon 

Detective 

Bureau 

Crime 

Prevention 

Fleet 

Mgt 

Budget 

Training 

Dispatch 

Corrections 

K-9 

Narcotics 

Grants 

Policy 

Manual 

SWAT/ 

HNT 

Special 

Operations 

Records 

Computers 

Radios 

Defensive 

Tactics 

In Car 

Video 

Range 

EOD 

Property & 

Evidence 

Crossing 

Guards 

Chaplain 

Program 

Court 

Officer 

Court 

Security 

Hiring 

FTO 

BIKE/ 

ATV 

AIU

7015 Hopkins Road (1966 – 1983) 

Demolished and now part of Mentor Cemetery 

8500 Civic Center Blvd. (1983 - present ) 

Current location of the Mentor Police Department 

43

Mentor Police Department Department - City of Mentor

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