Elyria Police Department swears in three new officers

ELYRIA — Three officers who will soon join the ranks of the Elyria Police Department were sworn into their new jobs Monday afternoon. Soon-to-be patrol officers Jeff Travaglianti, Brittanny Clink-Miller and Vincent Ligas took their oaths of office in Council Chambers at Elyria City Hall. Mayor Frank Whitfield, who administered the oaths, thanked them for their willingness to step up and serve at the Elyria Police Department. "As you know, it is not easy being a police officer nowadays. But I think it is also an exciting time to redefine what it means to be a police officer as well," he said. "In a city like Elyria, there is no shortage of excitement, so you will have a lot of different opportunities to engage in a lot of different ways." Police Chief William Pelko said the addition of the three new officers will help the department get closer to its staffing goals. Including Travaglianti, Clink-Miller and Ligas, the Elyria Police Department now employs 81 officers and is budgeted for up to 87. "We're still behind, but we are working on it. We've got a lateral test going on right now, so hopefully we will get some good applicants from that," he said. The three new officers had their police badges pinned on by family members. Clink-Miller was pinned by her mother, Sandy Trappe. Clink-Miller's law enforcement experience includes working with the Cleveland Police Department mounted unit. Ligas will be a familiar face around the station, but an even more familiar name. His dad is Sgt. Vincent Ligas of the Elyria Police Department. The elder Ligas pinned the badge on the younger's uniform in Council Chambers on Monday. The younger Vincent Ligas got his start at the department through his involvement with the Elyria Police Auxiliary, said Whitfield. Travaglianti formerly worked for the Crestline Police Department in Crawford and Richland counties. He will start at the Elyria Police Department after completing a two-week orientation program. Pelko said he will then go through the department's four-month field training officer program before he is on his own. Clink-Miller and Ligas must first attend the police academy at Lorain County Community College, according to Pelko. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com.