Ausrintown Township's new Chief of Police will be sworn in Monday evening.

During a meeting last week, Township Trustee Bruce Shepas named Valorie Delmont as the township's new police chief. She will officially be sworn in Monday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Delmont will be filling the shoes of outgoing Austintown Police Chief Bob Gavalier, who has served on the police department for 38 years, as well as five years as a reserve officer.

Gavalier will be leaving his position at the department on Friday, February 28.

Delmont has almost 20 years at the department under her belt, she said she is ready to step into her new role.

"I'm very excited. I've looked forward to this. I've already planned for it. I have some ideas," Delmont said. 

She told 21 News that she is focused on budgeting and building relationships with the community.

With the police levy failing in November along with the townships struggling finances, Delmont has some ideas to help get them back on track. 

"Obviously we're going to need to cut spending and increase revenue and [...] that will probably be one of the first things on my agenda," Delmont said. 

Specific ways to cut spending are still being organized, but Delmont hopes layoffs can be avoided.

Delmont was one of five candidates who interviewed for the position, and was one of two candidates who already worked for the Austintown Police Department. Prior to her selection as Chief, she was serving as a Lieutenant for the department's Patrol Division.

Other candidates for the job included Austintown Police Lieutenant William Hoelzel, Mahoning County Drug Task Force Director Larry McLaughlin, Trumbull County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jeff Palmer and retired FBI Assisted Special Agent in Charge Robert Clark.

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