New chief sworn in

NORWALK — Scott Dahlgren was sworn in as Norwalk's new police chief Monday afternoon. Mayor Dave Light, a former police chief, called the swearing in "another special day" for the police department. He said the selection of the chief "has been a long process," but he's pleased with the result. "Scott is an excellent choice to lead the Norwalk Police Department," Light said when Dalgren was selected. "He has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, including over 16 years with the Sandusky Police Department." Dahlgren has served in various supervisory positions with the Sandusky Police Department, including the last nine years as a lieutenant and commander. "We all look forward to working with Scott and moving the Norwalk Police Department forward," Light said. Dahlgren said he was excited to get started; his first day on the job was Monday. "Everybody I've gotten to meet so far has been amazing," Dahlgren told a crowd of about 50 that showed up for his swearing in. The event drew some of the area's top brass. On hand were Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth, Huron County Sheriff Todd Corbin and his chief deputy David Ditz, along with Norwalk Fire Captain Dan Strayer, and dozens of other officers and firefighters. Dahlgren said one of his top priorities will be hiring officers; the department has six vacancies currently. Dahlgren was picked as the next chief by Norwalk's police chief selection board after a three-month process involving testing, evaluation and interviews. The selection board is a five-person panel made up of representatives of city council, the civil service commission, the general public, an expert in the field of police administration and the safety-service director. In his new role, Dahlgren will get paid a salary of $93,000. Mike White, Norwalk's safety service director, said Dahlgren is the first person ever hired for chief from outside of the department. He said he was impressed with Dahlgren throughout the hiring process. "I think we got a good one," White said. "His experience is impressive. He's very impressive. He presents himself very, very well." Dahlgren has worked for the Sandusky Police Department since May 2007. With Sandusky police, Dahlgren supervised the detective bureau and the narcotics bureau. He also assisted the police chief with budgeting, policies and procedures. He worked his way up from sergeant in 2012, to lieutenant in 2014, and to support bureau commander in 2016. Before working for Sandusky, Dahlgren served as a police officer with Marblehead and as a police officer for Cedar Point. Dahlgren's current boss, Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver, said Norwalk made the right choice. "I am very happy for him," Oliver said. "Norwalk made an excellent choice. He is a very honest, hardworking and dedicated individual. He has served the city of Sandusky admirably. I look forward to working with him in his new role as Chief of the Norwalk Police Department." Dahlgren replaces Chief Dave Smith, who retired in September. Smith was promoted to chief on Jan. 18, 2022, after 27 years on the force. He took over for Mike Conney, another longtime NPD member who had retired in December 2021. There were three other candidates in the running for the chief's job. They were: John Majoy of Huron, James Montana of Norwalk, and Roger Watkins of Lorain. Montana was the only internal candidate.