Logan police adding rank

Department elevates three officers to corporal status in retention effort

The Logan Township Police Department has elevated three patrolmen to the rank of corporal -- the first time in the department's 57-year history that any officer has received that designation.

Creating the corporal rank should help the department retain its officers by giving them a better chance of moving up, while also helping to ensure that authority is delineated more clearly on all three shifts, because one shift previously consisted only of patrolmen, with an "officer in charge," according to Chief Dave Hoover.

Hoover's move is "forward thinking," said Supervisor Joe Metzgar, after Chairman Jim Patterson swore in Ben Shanholtz, Shea Stayer and Tyler McClellan at a meeting this week.

Having corporals is also the norm for departments nowadays, according to Hoover.

In recent years, Logan has frequently lost members of its department to the state police and other law enforcement organizations.

"It's hard to retain officers in this day and age," Hoover said after the ceremony, which included family members of the new corporals -- including an infant and toddler -- and lots of picture-taking. "This gives them a reason to stay."

He's trying to enhance "hierarchy" in the department, Hoover said.

If officers "think they can move up through the ranks, that's good," he stated.

Until now, the ranks in Logan comprised patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant and chief -- and there hasn't been a lieutenant in place for several years.

The three officers promoted to corporal have been "here when we need them," Hoover said. "Their commitment to the community and to keep the community safe is outstanding."

The responsibilities of Shanholtz and Stayer have included training other officers, he said.

While all his officers are excellent, "you can't promote everybody," Hoover said. "These are the ones I chose."

"You did it based on merit, involvement and dedication," Patterson asked.

"I did," Hoover said.

In addition to helping with retention, the promotions will make the chain of command clearer on the daily shift that previously didn't include a sergeant, as the designated officer in charge on that shift has been a patrolman, according to officials.

Now, there will be more structure, said Patterson.

Sgt. Barry Fry will oversee the new corporals, Hoover said.

"I appreciate the board allowing me to do this," he said.

"It's nice to see we have officers progressing," said Supervisor Ed Frontino. "We're grooming future leaders."

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.