Pictured at The University of Akron Police Department’s swearing-in ceremony for new officers are Bill Viau, UA’s assistant executive director of human resources; Officer Ralph Mayes; Officer Kerry Jackson; Officer James Gilbride; Officer Alan Coleman; Officer Todd Hough; Officer Kevin Kabellar; Officer Johanna Adams; UAPD Chief Paul Callahan; Officer Jay Lax; and Ted Curtis, vice president for capital planning and facilities management.
The University of Akron Police Department has strengthened its ranks though the hiring of eight new police officers for main campus and Wayne College.
The officers were officially sworn in at a special ceremony Tuesday at the Quaker Station at the Quaker Square Inn at The University of Akron.
"The addition of these officers is significant due to their years of excellent work in other departments and law enforcement agencies," says Paul Callahan, chief of The University of Akron Police Department. "But there are many areas of law enforcement that are unique to campus law enforcement. All of the new officers are now undergoing an intensive acclimation period called the Field Training Officer program.
"We look forward to these officers making many positive contributions to the campus community and beyond."
The seven officers with the rank of Police Officer I added to the force on main campus include:
- Johanna Adams of Kent. Adams has seven years of experience with the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
- Alan Coleman of Kent. Coleman has 10 years of experience with the Glenwillow, Ohio, Police Department.
- James Gilbride of Akron. Gilbride has eight years of prior law enforcement experience with the Akron Police Department.
- Todd Hough of Akron. Hough has six years of experience with the Akron Police Department.
- Kerry Jackson of Akron. Jackson comes to UAPD with 13 years of experience with the Akron Police Department.
- Kevin Kabellar of Akron. Kabellar has 13 years of experience with the Akron Police Department, including service in the detective bureau.
- Ralph Mayes of Rittman. Mayes has 11 years of prior experience with the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
- An eighth officer, Jay Lax, has been added for duty at the university's Wayne College campus in Orrville. Lax, an Orrville resident, has more than 30 years of experience with the Orrville Police Department.