Michael Failing named new Lorain police chief

LORAIN — Lorain will have a new police chief later this month. Michael Failing, current deputy chief, will assume full command of the department during a swearing-in ceremony Sept. 15, pending the Civil Service Commission's establishment of the eligibility list for the position at its meeting Sept. 9. Failing, a 30-year veteran with the department, will replace Jim McCann, who will retire under a separation agreement with the city. It was a turn he never expected his career to take, he said Friday evening. "It really hasn't hit me," he said. "I'm still doing the same job I've been doing — I just moved offices the other day." Failing has served as acting chief since June, when McCann was placed on paid administrative leave as part of his separation agreement. In that time, Failing led the department through its first officer killed in the line of duty in more than 101 years. Officers Phillip Wagner, Peter Gale and Brent Payne were shot in an ambush by a lone gunman on July 23. Wagner, 35, of North Ridgeville, was gravely wounded and died of his injuries the next day. Officers Gale and Payne were injured and treated at Cleveland's MetroHealth Medical Center. "We're still dealing with the aftermath of that," the incoming chief said. "I'm excited but it hasn't really hit me." Failing and Capt. AJ Mathewson were the only officers eligible to test for the chief's position. Failing, according to the uncertified eligibility list, scored 89.44 points; Mathewson scored 84.17 points on the test administered Aug. 30. Failing said he looks forward to working with soon-to-be Deputy Chief Mathewson for the next several years. Capt. Jacob Morris was ineligible as he has not been a captain for at least two years. Mayor Jack Bradley said he felt Failing was the right man for the job. "He certainly demonstrated his ability during the tragedy that happened to our three police officers," Bradley said. "I think he proved himself under a very stressful situation that you really can't prepare for. … I've been very happy with his community engagement since he's been the acting chief — he and his wife (LeeAnne) have been participating in just about every event that's been happening in the city that would involve having our chief present." The city contracted with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police for the examination. It paid the OACP $5,900 to administer the assessment. It is the same group that administered the assessment when Jim McCann became police chief in 2019. McCann replaced longtime Chief Cel Rivera after outscoring then-fellow police Capt. Roger Watkins on the OACP exam following Rivera's retirement. Watkins now works for Sheffield Lake police. Failing was ineligible to take the chief's test in 2019 as he had not been a captain for two years at the time. Once sworn into the new role, Failing will receive an annual salary of about $168,000 — composed of a base pay of $125,000, plus 12 percent rank differential and $28,000 in longevity pay. Failing's promotion will trigger several others in the department. Lt. Tim Thompson will be sworn in as captain, Sgt. Andrew Greszler will be sworn in as a lieutenant and officer Brian Andreas will be sworn in as a sergeant alongside the new chief at the Sept. 15. City Council meeting. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.