Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Canfield Mayor Don Dragish, left, issues the oath of office to new full-time officer Austyn Dozier as new auxiliary officer Matthew Hunter, right, waits his turn for a ceremonial oath.

CANFIELD — Mayor Don Dragish issued the oath of office to two new officers at the city council meeting Wednesday.

Austyn Dozier will enter the full-time ranks, while Matthew Hunter will fill an auxiliary position as he begins his police career. Dozier’s hiring brings the department to 23 full-time officers.

“It is a very challenging time to find good quality officers,” said Canfield police Chief Chuck Colucci. “Standards have been lowered across the country, and while we made a few changes, we did not waver in hiring quality people.”

Colucci said Dozier had just finished his final exam at the police academy.

“He is eager to begin his career,” Colucci said.

Hunter was sworn in through a ceremonial oath. Colucci said it is not like swearing in a regular officer.

“Auxiliary officers don’t carry a gun, but assist during events,” Colucci said.

They help with traffic during the parades and events, but serve a new mission for the department.

“Our auxiliary used to be made up of retired officers, but we saw an opportunity,” Colucci said. “We said why not use the auxiliary to build a pool of young officers to choose from.”

He said these young people are the next part-time and full-time officers as they are already used to the Canfield area. The auxiliary gives the department a pool of officers to pick from when a part-time or full-time position opens.

He said Hunter will attend the police academy at Kent State University this fall.

Following their oaths of office, family members were able to “pin” the badges on the new officers, after which officers provided a tour of the police station for the families.

In other business, City Manager David D’Apolito reported Canfield Township called him recently about a rock wall that was ordered for Township Park. Apparently the manufacturer sent the wrong rock wall and when the township asked how to send it back, the company replied to just get rid of it. The township thought of the city and offered it for the city park.

“Of course we accepted it,” D’Apolito said. “I have wanted to establish a good relationship with the township and this shows it.”

He said the township also has agreed to co-sponsor some of the Village Green events.

The new rock wall will be placed next to the pirate ship and will offer a new way to get on the ship.

Also Wednesday, council members Mark Graham and Chuck Tieche, along with Dragish, voted to approve a resolution authorizing the city manager to submit applications and execute contracts with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Natureworks grant program. D’Apolito said the grant will be a 25% local match and will be used to fix the pickleball courts at Greasel Park.