HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — After serving the Hubbard Township community for 29 years, police Chief Greg Tarr will step down Friday.

Tarr, 51, who started with the police department part time in 1993, will be retiring, having served as the chief since 2020.

“For me, having the opportunity to serve the residents of Hubbard Township as part of my career is what I will remember. It was a great community. I met a lot of people and made a lot of friends,” said Tarr, who grew up in the township.

He worked part time for two years until a federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant obtained by the township allowed him to become full time making $10 per hour.

Over the years, Tarr moved up the ranks and became a sergeant in 2014 and chief in 2020 after the retirement of Todd Coonce.

Tarr said his proudest accomplishment as chief has been getting the police staff and township trustees on track after several challenging financial years.

“There was a lot of working together, and we were able to get the police department back to where it needed to be. I feel we were able to accomplish a lot and serve the residents of the community,” Tarr said.

He said his last few years with the department were busy. Tarr was responsible for day-to-day operations and supervision of the police department personnel including scheduling, training, vehicle maintenance program and payroll.

Tarr has a degree in criminal justice / law enforcement administration from Youngstown State University.

While he is retiring as an officer, Tarr plans to continue as a criminal justice and law enforcement instructor at Youngstown State University, Eastern Gateway Community College and other online universities and colleges, such as Southern New Hampshire University. He has taught a variety of courses and topics, including criminal investigations and controversial issues in policing.

“I have been a criminal justice instructor more than 16 years and have enjoyed it. I teach classes that are part of different degree programs.” Tarr said.

“There’s things I’m gonna miss. The community that I’ve been born and raised in. I am excited to get started on my new life after work, so looking forward to it,” he said.

Tarr said he became interested in law enforcement at age 20 when he applied with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“For me, wearing the uniform and protecting and serving the community was always an honor,” he said.

He said he always will appreciate the support he received from the officers and police staff.

“It meant a lot when your officers and those you work with are 100 percent behind you. It was great to work with them over the years. I feel very confident the department will be in good hands with Chief (Ron) Fusco,” Tarr said.

Trustee Fred Hanley said he had known Tarr for many years and knew he would be a good leader for the police department.

“He is great person. He always had a lot of enthusiasm and created camaraderie among the department. Through his lead, he united the department. He always understood the dynamics of the community and brought a new dynamic to the police department,” Trustee Rick Hernandez said.

Tarr has been taking unused vacation and comp time in February and March. He looks forward to traveling in his retirement with his wife, Kara, a nurse who works in mental health.