Two experienced officers join Chagrin police

Chagrin Falls’ newest police officers James "Toby" Leahy (left) and Allison Fletcher look forward to embracing the community policing aspect of the village's department. They both bring strengths and experience to the position.

Two new faces have taken to the village streets as members of the Chagrin Falls Police Department.

Officers James "Toby" Leahy and Allison Fletcher, who began their duties this month, were tied at No. 1 on Chagrin's list of hires, Chief Amber Dacek said. "The police department conducts a hiring process wherein we establish a list of candidates for potential hire," with top candidates also completing an additional pre-hire process that includes an extensive background check, among other assessments, she said.

"Both were very impressive in their interviews," she said of the new hires, "showing not only a high level of intelligence but also a desire to join a police department that is heavily focused on community interaction."

"Working in Chagrin Falls has been great so far," Mr. Leahy, 26, of Bainbridge Township, said. He came to the village from the Shaker Heights Police Department, where he worked for nearly three years.

"The biggest difference I have noticed so far is the difference in size of the village/department compared to Shaker Heights," Mr. Leahy said. "Due to the small size of the Chagrin police force, I feel as if I have quickly created strong relationships with a majority of the department."

In terms of people, both communities are friendly, he added, noting that Shaker Heights does not have a small downtown district like Chagrin.

"I feel like I will have more opportunity to create friendships and relationships with residents of Chagrin," he said. "I look forward to meeting as many people as possible in the coming future."

Ms. Fletcher, 31, of Macedonia, came to the village's police department from the City of Fairlawn, where she worked for eight years. Her husband, Marcus Fletcher, also a police officer, worked at Fairlawn for nine years and now is employed with the Cleveland Metroparks.

She applied to the Chagrin department, because her sister-in-law teaches in Chagrin Falls and recommended that she do so, Ms. Fletcher said. "I then looked into the village and decided this is the type of community I would like to work for."

She said she was drawn to law enforcement after being inspired by shows like "CSI" and "Criminal Minds." Being a police officer in reality is nothing like television, she added, "but I love it nonetheless."

She brings to the position the ability to talk to people well and to advocate for victims, Ms. Fletcher said. "I have focused a lot of my career on working with sexual-assault victims and human-trafficking research and education."

Mr. Leahy, who grew up in South Euclid and graduated from St. Ignatius High School, said he is familiar with the area and officers in Chagrin Falls. He also sought employment in the village, he said, "because Chagrin Falls is big on community policing."

Mr. Leahy said he joined law enforcement to help others and to follow in the footsteps of his family. His uncle is a detective for the Beachwood Police Department, and his cousin is a patrolman for the Cleveland Heights Police Department.

"Both have multiple years of prior law-enforcement experience, and both have personalities that I believe will mesh well not only with the other officers on the department but also with the people who live and work in our community," Chief Dacek said.

Ms. Fletcher, who is a native of Bedford and attended Nordonia High School, was married just a few weeks ago.

Mr. Leahy is engaged to be married. He brings to the position the ability to communicate as well as a positive attitude, he said. He enjoys interacting with strangers and will also bring to Chagrin all he has learned from his work in Shaker Heights, he said.

"I am excited to see what both Officer Fletcher and Officer Leahy will accomplish in their futures here in Chagrin Falls," Chief Dacek said.

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