New Smithville police chief takes over
March 3 was the swearing-in ceremony for the Village of Smithville’s new police chief, Jennifer Barnett. She replaces Howard R. Funk, right, who completed his 36-year law-enforcement career on Feb. 28.
March 3 was the swearing-in ceremony for the Village of Smithville’s new police chief, Jennifer Barnett.
Barnett was the choice based on her qualifications, integration into the village community and her working relationships with fellow officers.
Former police chief Howard R. Funk resigned from his role to pursue new endeavors, completing his 36-year law-enforcement career on Feb. 28. Funk recommended Barnett as his successor.
“Sgt. Barnett has an aggregate eight years of law-enforcement experience, and after myself, she is currently the longest serving Smithville officer. During her five-year tenure with this department, Sgt. Barnett has been the recipient of a meritorious commendation and several letters of recognition,” Funk said in his letter of resignation to the Village of Smithville.
Barnett graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in both prelaw and criminal justice. She has completed numerous trainings to further develop her capacity as a law-enforcement officer.
Smithville Mayor Tom Poulson said it was in large part the extensive training Barnett has received that will make her the best fit for this new role.
“She is uniquely qualified in terms of her specialized trainings. In this day and age, there are so many things that go on in law enforcement that to have that diverse training makes her a real asset for the office,” Poulson said. “We all think of firearm training, for instance, as something officers need. But her training has included (other aspects like) taking courses in executive leadership for police.”
Poulson has familiarity with the role of officers in the community, not only through his role as mayor, but also because his father was an officer.
“It’s a more diverse job description than most people realize,” he said. “Society has changed significantly, and the expanded role of officers reflects the changes in society itself. But even though the role has changed, they still exist to serve the community.”
Barnett is looking forward to opportunities in this new role to support her fellow officers and the community.
“I’m in the process of providing the department with growth, to see the overall success of the department,” she said. “I want to make sure the officers and sergeant feel comfortable in their positions and that they have been provided with what they need to perform their job well.”
Building relationships in the community also is important, and Barnett’s role in the community goes back many years. Barnett had the idea for the DARE program in the Smithville school system and implemented that program. Although the main purpose of the DARE program is to empower students to make healthy choices around avoiding drug use, Barnett found the program was an entry point to talk to high school students about a wider range of issues, helping her build trust with the community.
With Barnett’s promotion came a vacancy for the sergeant position in Smithville. Officer Christian Wertz, who has been with the Smithville Police Department since February 2018, was promoted to the position during the March 3 swearing-in ceremony.
Poulson looks forward to Barnett’s new role in the community. “She has a good working relationship with her fellow officers and is very active in the community and has developed relationships that will serve her well,” he said.