Ashland police add 2 officers to force

ASHLAND — Two new police officers joined Ashland’s force in March.

The division hired a full-time officer and a part-time officer. The hires bring the division’s full-time force to 31; the division now has two part-time officers dedicated to enforcing speeding, parking and other traffic-related issues.

Shane Cook, 26, will be a full-time officer after his probationary training period, which will end in June.

The Perrysville native graduated from Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Cook graduated from the police academy at North Central State College in January.

Before that, he worked for Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the U.S. Postal Service.

“I grew up in Perrysville and spent a lot of time in Ashland. Being able to protect this community makes all the difference,” he said.

Cook will earn the starting rate for officers in Ashland, which is set at $29.28 per hour.

Brian Evans, 52, of Mansfield, retired from the Ashland Police Division in 2021. He worked there for 21 years. He has returned to work as a part-time officer who will focus on enforcing traffic laws in the city.

Part-time officers also earn $29.28 per hour, according to APD Chief Dave Lay.

The division in recent years has hired part-time officers to supplement traffic enforcement. Complaints of speeding around parts of the city led leaders to hire two part-time officers dedicated to the task.