Newton Falls council moves toward reinstating Police Chief Fixler to full-time

After bringing him back on a part-time basis in August, Newton Falls Council are looking to make Police Chief Gene Fixler full-time chief once more.

The move to make him full time after bringing him back part time follows a ruling by a judge that he was removed from office incorrectly and should be reinstated in 2022.

"The previous council inappropriately reduced [Fixler's] hours and terminated him," Newton Falls Law Director Jeff Limbian said. "This council and the mayor are appropriately trying to rectify a wrong that was done by the previous council and administration."

If approved, the proposal would make Fixler full-time thus giving him full benefits that come with the job and a pay bump from $36,000 to $72,500 retroactive July 30, 2023 - making them compliant with the court's decision.

Fixler is currently working to help rebuild the city's police force, which shuttered following the failure of levy required to keep it operational in 

He will be taking stock of what the community needs to rebuild the force and create a plan to do so moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department will still conduct patrols through the village and will do so for the time being.

The ordinance made it past its second reading, its final reading is expected later this month.

Councilmembers tried passing the ordinance on emergency Oct. 2, however because this is an administrative change, that motion failed.

Fixler is also suing the village once again, accusing the village of malicious prosecution.