The Goshen Township Police District’s newest Patrol Sgt. Jacob Rohr, right, took his oath of office in the board of trustee’s March meeting Tuesday. Police Chief John Calko, left, championed Rohr’s abilities and work ethic, describing him as the department’s “top performer” and noting that he was certain he would excel in his new position. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP — The board of trustees approved multiple personnel and pay changes for the police department in its March meeting Tuesday.

Police Chief John Calko presented trustees with a proposal to update the department’s wage for part-time officers from the current rate of $21.57 per hour to match the full-time rate of $24.06. Calko argued both full and part time officers perform the same duties, and that the change would aid the department in hiring part time officers amidst higher rates available in neighboring departments.

“I want to align all the full-time and part-time officers to be the same wage. They’re doing the same job the only difference is the full-time officers will have the fringe benefits that the part-time officers won’t,” said Calko.

Board of Trustees Chair Shawn Mesler said that he wouldn’t be opposed to the increase, noting that full-time officers would still be receiving slightly more than part-time officers with benefits, and hiring more part-time officers would reduce their workload. Trustees John Bricker and Teresa Stratton agreed, and trustees ultimately voted unanimously to approve the change.

Calko also suggested eliminating the department’s probationary wage. Calko explained that currently when an officer is hired or promoted to a new position they are paid 50 cents per hour less during their one year probationary period; however, he would like to pay officers the full wage while retaining the probationary period.

“I still want to keep them on probation for a year, basically meaning that if they don’t produce, or do a proper job, we can still eliminate them under the probationary period, but I want to pay them the full wage,” said Calko.

Calko said that the department currently only has two officers who would be affected by the change, so it wouldn’t represent that large an increase. Mesler said he didn’t have an issue with the change, noting that the department’s officers aren’t making as much as they could be elsewhere, and trustees voted unanimously to approve the change.

Trustees also voted unanimously to promote Jacob Rohr to patrol sergeant. Rohr was awarded the department’s Certificate of Valor last July for his role in preventing a woman experiencing a mental health crisis from harming herself and Calko championed Rohr’s qualifications and work ethic, and his confidence in him to fulfill his new position.

“Jake is a phenomenal officer here for us. He is my top performer, he’s already got a couple of awards under his belt, he’s my pride and joy. He’s going to do a phenomenal job, he already has leadership skills, and the guys respect him here,” said Calko.

Trustees also approved the hire of Timothy Tusek as a part-time officer, and the resignation of Patrolman Steve Stanton. Calko said that Tusek is a veteran and has previous experience as an officer from serving with the Beaver Township Police Department prior to moving to a federal security agency. Calko explained that Stanton took a position with United States Border Patrol on the Texas-Mexico border and while he initially wanted to stay with the department, doing so was unfeasible.

The board of trustees will meet next at 6 p.m. April 8.