Geneva honors police
Michael Smith, who joined the department in 2022, was named Officer of the Year and commended for his work making traffic stops in the city, Geneva Police Chief John Camper said. He said Smith also received the Ashtabula County Safe Communities Officer of the Year, as well.
Brittany Brantley received the Dispatcher of the Year award, and was honored for her work in communicating information to other departments.
Lynn Gersper was honored as part-time Officer of the Year. She has been on the department since 1975, Hamper said.
He commended all the members of the department.
'You guys have been very easy to work with,' he said.
Hamper discussed his hopes that the canine unit will be up and running by August, with Smith as the potential canine handler.
City Councilman Jeff Griffiths asked Hamper to provide a full budget for the proposed program.
Geneva City Manager Joseph Varckette said the details of the program are still being decided, and council will have a chance to approve the program before it is finalized.
Camper said he believes a canine unit is needed in the city. He said many city residents have asked him about a canine unit, which was discussed as a possible addition to the city during a 2019 levy campaign that passed by four votes.
Camper said the department is 'more or less' at full staff, but still struggling to keep employees. He said the department will soon need a radio system update, new Tasers and body cameras.
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