New Philadelphia, Ohio - The New Philadelphia Highway Patrol Post is welcoming a new assistant commander.

Sgt. Robert J. Simone began his new role earlier this month after serving as a trooper for the patrol posts in Canton, Medina, and Akron. New Philadelphia Post commander Lt. Mark Glennon says Simone is still getting acclimated to his new position, but he says the transition has been going really well.

"Right now, he’s in a little bit of what we’ll call a training process where he is with another sergeant at this time trying to see how we operate here at the post and what we need to do and how he can guide and direct our troopers to help them make sure that the roadways are safe," he says.

Simone says he’s enjoying the slower pace after spending the last six years working in metropolitan areas. 

“I would say that the Akron and Canton posts were more metro posts meaning that we worked more inner-city type stuff. I’ve worked in East Cleveland. I’ve worked the City of Akron. I’ve worked the City of Canton, primarily the City of Akron. That’s what I’m used to, and it’s a little different pace down here but it’s a welcome pace. It’s very nice. I really enjoy it down here. I like it a lot,” he says.

Simone says he’s grateful for the warm welcome from the New Philadelphia troopers and staff. 

"I had a lot of uneasiness going into it. I was excited but I was nervous because I was not familiar with where I was headed or where I was going. I’d never been down here before to this post, but it’s been a very easy transition because everyone here has been extremely friendly, extremely helpful. I’ve been very blessed and very lucky to come to such a good place," he says.

Simone began his Patrol career in September 2012 as a member of the 153rd Academy Class. He has twice earned the Ace Award in auto larceny enforcement, and he also received the Criminal Patrol Award in 2018. Glennon says they’re happy to welcome him aboard. "We’re very glad that he’s here, and think he’ll be a great addition to our post," he says.

Simone currently resides in the Green area with his wife, Jade, and their 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Hannah. He replaces the post's previous assistant commander, Sgt. Ed Franke, who recently transferred to Steubenville.

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV