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MANTUA, Ohio – A new Mantua police agreement is putting day-to-day oversight of the village’s police operations in the hands of the Hiram Police Department for the next six months, a move that drew vocal pushback from residents but was approved by Mantua Village Council as a short-term “bridge.”
Under the management plan, Mantua will pay Hiram $170,000 to oversee police and dispatch services during the six-month period. Village officials said the goal is to stabilize operations while Mantua works to rebuild its department and return to an independent, locally run force.
The agreement follows a turbulent stretch for Mantua’s police department after the village’s police chief was dismissed in the wake of a lengthy public hearing tied to alleged violations of the village’s nepotism policy. Since then, Mantua has faced staffing strain and uncertainty that has spilled into public meetings—where residents have questioned both the price tag and the long-term direction of the department.
What the Mantua Police Agreement Does
The Mantua police agreement establishes Hiram’s role managing operations and dispatch coverage for a defined, six-month window. Mantua officials described it as a stopgap rather than a permanent restructuring—an approach meant to preserve service continuity while the village searches for leadership and fills vacancies.
Officials have also pointed to the community’s expectation for around-the-clock coverage, noting that voters previously supported a tax measure intended to help ensure 24-hour policing in the village.
Residents Raised Cost and Control Questions
At a packed council meeting in December, residents spoke at length—many opposing the deal. Several themes emerged from the public comments:
- Concern that the $170,000 cost should instead be directed toward hiring and retention within Mantua’s own department
- Fear that “temporary” management could become a step toward consolidation or broader governmental merging
- Anxiety about what happens if Mantua hires a new chief while legal or administrative matters related to the former chief remain unresolved
Some residents also referenced pending state-level discussions about incentives for local-government mergers, adding to concerns that public safety decisions could become intertwined with broader consolidation debates.
Village Leaders: Department Is Not Being Abolished
Council members and public safety leadership emphasized that the police department is intended to remain in Mantua and be rebuilt—not dissolved. Village leaders said they have repeatedly declined offers for another agency to fully take over the department, positioning the current arrangement as a limited management partnership rather than a handoff.
They also pointed to the practical challenge of staffing: a small department can be destabilized quickly when even one officer leaves, and recruiting for leadership roles has proven difficult.
How Mantua Got Here: Months of Public Debate
The management agreement comes after months of heightened public attention around village policing, including:
- A lengthy disciplinary hearing that culminated in the dismissal of Mantua’s police chief
- Public discussions among residents about options ranging from legal action to changes in village governance
- Ongoing debate about the future of dispatch and whether local service can be maintained without outside assistance
In recent meetings, officials have framed the management contract as a way to “hold the line” on coverage and supervision while the village works toward a more stable staffing plan.
What’s Next
In the near term, residents can expect Mantua’s police operations to be overseen through the six-month agreement period while the village continues recruiting efforts and evaluates staffing needs.
For residents who want to follow along closely, Mantua’s council meeting schedule and public records resources remain a key way to track votes, contracts, and public safety planning—especially as the village navigates the balance between local control and operational reality.