Two new Mansfield police officers sworn in
Two new Mansfield police officers ― Joseph Sabo and Michael Nelson ― were sworn in Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Sabo, 37, a native of New Philadelphia, is on active duty in the U.S. Air Force at the 179th Airlift Wing where he is a staff sergeant working toward being a firefighter at the Mansfield base.
Sabo is a volunteer firefighter/EMT at Franklin Township Fire Department and said he would like to be a school resource officer someday.
Nelson, 25, of Mansfield, has worked at Richland Correctional Institution for the past 2½ years. He is a 2016 Ontario high School graduate and said he is looking forward to an exciting and long journey in law enforcement.
He said he wanted to come to the Mansfield police department to make a difference and give back to his community.
"I like to help people out," he said.
His sister Gillian VanTilburg started her first day as a deputy Monday at the Richland County Sheriff's Office, he said.
Public Works Director Dave Remy administered the oath of office. Mansfield police Chief Keith Porch was the first to congratulate the two new officers and shake their hands as members of the police force.
The two new officers qualify for a $15,000 "pre-employment hiring incentive" being offered to the first 11 new sworn-in members of the city's police force. The bonus requires a five-year commitment.
As Mansfield Division of Police is accepting applications for patrol officers, the bonus is an option for those filing applications.
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Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Newest Mansfield police officers are from Mansfield, New Philadelphia
