Strasburg Police Sgt. Dave Warrick has been tapped as the department's new chief. (Photo by Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV) 

Strasburg, Ohio - One of Strasburg Police Department’s own has risen through the ranks to become the village’s new police chief.

Strasburg council met Tuesday and tapped Sergeant Dave Warrick to head up the village police force. Warrick has worked for the department on and off for about 11 years and has been the acting police chief since former Chief Robert Kutcher resigned on September 18th.  

Warrick says he’s grateful for the opportunity and that he hopes the community will continue to stand behind him.

“It means a lot. I got to see this place come to this point as far as the officers that work here and just department growth. I’ve got to know a lot of people over the years, so that’s a very good thing. I’d like to believe that I have a great reputation with the community, and I’d like to have their support. 

Warrick says his plans for the department include keeping it fully staffed with well-qualified officers and making sure those officers have the tools to do their jobs safely and effectively.

“We’ve already got new equipment, stuff that needed updates. We have future projects to work on that I think we need to be more effective. We’re looking to hire very qualified people and people who want to serve this community. ” he says. 

Warrick says the department is now equipped with new tasers and in-car equipment and recently purchased lockout kits for all of its cruisers.  

“There’s a lot of people that lock themselves out of a vehicle and I hate deferring them to a towing company where they have to pay money when we could just do it as a service for free,” he explains.

Council President Jeff Smith says Warrick is a good fit for the position because of his experience, leadership skills and willingness to go above and beyond for the village. 

“He’s young, energetic, willing to deal with all necessary and relevant issues that have been inherited and things that we need to work through moving forward to make our department a leader in the county. I think he has good leadership and good rapport with the county and other communities, villages, the sheriff’s department,” he says.

Warrick is 31 and lives in Dover with his wife, Kasey, and their 3-year-old twins Bane and Aubrey.  

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV