Woodlawn swears in one officer and approves sponsored training for another recruit

Woodlawn — The Village of Woodlawn welcomed two prospective officers at Monday’s council meeting. Chief Kevin Williams introduced the recruits and described the village’s plan to sponsor academy training for one candidate and to swear in a second.

At the meeting Chief Kevin Williams said the department had been impressed with an applicant who will receive sponsorship for academy training. The council later approved Resolution 38-2024, which the agenda describes as "a resolution approving a conditional offer of employment and sponsored training agreement between the Village of Woodlawn and Benjamin Bickard." The resolution passed on a roll-call vote.

During the ceremony Jamel Preston took the oath of office. Preston recited the oath in full: "I, Jamel Preston... I do solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States of America... the Constitution and the laws of the state of Ohio..." Council and attendees welcomed the new officer.

Chief Williams told the council the sponsored recruit (Benjamin) will complete academy training and is expected to return for a formal swearing once training is finished; the chief projected that completion could occur in mid-2025. The council’s approval of Resolution 38-2024 authorizes the village to fund that training on a reimbursement basis under the terms recorded in the resolution.

The council did not identify any additional conditions in the meeting beyond the reimbursement training agreement; staff were directed to execute the necessary documents.