Police Chief to Become City's First Safety Director

Police Chief Charles Goss is expected to become Strongsville's safety director Oct. 1.

He will be the first person to occupy the post in on a full-time basis. The position was created decades ago but has been left vacant and, by default, filled by the mayor.

Mayor Tom Perciak is expected to make the appointment at a City Council meeting on Tuesday.

"I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity," Goss said.

Goss has been planning to retire from the Strongsville police department at the end of September because of a provision in the Public Employees Retirement System.

Now, he will transition into another administrative post, overseeing both the police and fire departments.

"I've been able to do what I love and get paid for it, and I've gotten to do it in my hometown," Goss said. "I've been blessed for the last 34 years."

He and a number of other police officers and firefighters in Ohio enrolled in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) several years ago, a program that allowed them to keep working after retirement age if they agreed to reduce their pension benefits.

A new police chief is expected to be appointed around Oct. 1

Goss said he is fortunate to oversee "top notch" police and fire departments and expects to act as a liaison between the department and the mayor. 

"I think a benefit I'll bring will be helping with the succession of leadership in the departments," he said.

Goss said the safety director position has been filled temporarily on a part-time basis in the past, but believes he will be the first full-time safety director here.