ASHLAND — The city’s police department grew by one yesterday with the swearing-in of Connor Black, a Mapleton High School and Ashland University graduate.
Black, 24, starts at the Ashland Police Division at $23.09 per hour for his first probationary year. Part of his training includes 16 weeks of the division’s on-the-field training.
Black, originally from Polk, was sworn in Monday morning.
His pay will increase to $25.38 an hour after a year.
Black’s hire puts the police force at 30 officers.
Chief Dave Lay said the department is budgeted for 32 officers, but he doesn’t expect any further hires this year. There are several on the force eligible for retirement, but he doesn’t expect any retirements this year or next.
“We have a very young force,” Lay said.
The chief is optimistic Black will be a good fit for the city’s law enforcement.
“He’s grown up locally. He knows the area, the people, the community. And it shouldn’t be a difficult transition for him to come into the position and succeed,” he said.
