A NEW DIRECTION | Mayor Brown parts ways with YPD Chief Lees

YOUNGSTOWN — Deciding that better community engagement tops the needs of the Youngstown Police Department, Mayor Jamael Tito Brown is parting ways with Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees.

"I want to make sure that our officers have engaged the community while also dealing with a lot more of the social and mental health issues in our community," Brown told Mahoning Matters on Thursday evening after accepting Lees' letter of retirement, effective Jan. 15.

Brown said the idea to make a change began during discussions with Lees about moving the police department in a new direction for the new year.

Brown said in a Thursday news release that as he met with Lees to map out a new police policy, it became clear that the pair have different philosophies. In the end, Brown chose to move the department in a direction that includes a new strategy for community involvement.

In Youngstown, the police chief is a mayoral appointment.

"I have a vision for the development of community-based policing that will require more interaction with social services, mental health services and extensive training that focuses on the needs of the citizens of Youngstown," Brown said in a news release announcing Lees retirement.

Brown said he also wants to get body cameras for officers.

Lees started as an auxiliary officer for YPD in 1976. He was appointed as YPD chief by former Mayor John McNally in 2014 after retiring as a lieutenant in 2011. He was reappointed by Brown in March 2018.

"I greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication Chief Lees has provided to my administration and the citizens of Youngstown," Brown said in his statement.

Brown said he will appoint an interim chief for YPD while conducting a search for a permanent replacement.

The search for a new chief will begin today, he told Mahoning Matters, starting internally within the department. If no one within the department is selected for the position, the city will look externally.

Councilman Julius Oliver, 1st Ward, said he spoke to the mayor Monday and was glad to learn they agree the city needs a new direction when it comes to policing.

He said the current policing by the department often makes the community look at the police department as if it's the enemy, while the police department looks at the community as if it's the enemy.

During his time as a council member, Oliver has wanted to see a police chief and department that is able to better connect with the community.

"That's the only way you're going to get people to trust the police department is if they feel like the police are a part of the community," Oliver said.

Oliver said the department needs to find ways to be more well-rounded — and have a love for the community.

"I think that's the way that the mayor is trying to move — toward that ... community love feel," Oliver said.

Councilwoman Samantha Turner, 3rd Ward, said she is sad to see Lees retire but is excited to see the new direction Brown has planned for the police department.

"I hope that Chief Lees has a great retirement and he gets some time to enjoy himself, because he's worked hard for the city over the last several decades," Turner said.

Turner said she believes more needs to be done for prevention and intervention. She said a new chief will help the city move in a positive direction, along with reorganizing the police department overall.

"It's something that we should definitely be working toward, especially in light of all the social issues that have occurred over the last 12 months," Turner said.

Councilwoman Anita Davis, 6th Ward, said would like to see more interaction between police officers and community members that goes beyond community policing.

Davis said she would like to see more officers stopping to talk to people to get to know them on a more friendly basis when not responding to a call. She said it will help officers develop relationships with community members and hear their concerns or praise about neighborhoods.

Davis said she would also like to see the department use more technology and resources, such as surveillance cameras and task forces, to help prevent crime in the city.

"It doesn't stop all crime, but it might deter some things," Davis said.

Davis said she plans to have more discussions about a new direction and resources for the police department at the next safety committee meeting Jan. 28.

This story was originally published January 8, 2021 at 5:11 AM with the headline "A NEW DIRECTION | Mayor Brown parts ways with YPD Chief Lees."