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South Russell Council accepts two police resignations; officers to remain part‑time as public‑safety trainers
Summary
Council acknowledged the resignations of two full‑time patrol officers effective Dec. 31, 2025, approved both for part‑time appointments effective Jan. 1, 2026, and heard from Jim Levine about STAR, a School Transportation Active Threat Response training program the officers will work for.
The South Russell Village Council on Dec. 8 acknowledged the resignations of two full‑time patrol officers effective Dec. 31, 2025, and approved motions to appoint both as part‑time patrol officers beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Mayor announced the resignations, saying the officers had accepted positions with an outside company. Police Chief introduced Jim Levine, who described the STAR program — School Transportation Active Threat Response training — which Levine said started in South Russell and teaches school bus drivers how to recognize and respond to onboard threats. "The STAR program . . . teaches them through a hands on scenario . . . how to recognize the threat and then how to respond to it," Levine said.
One departing officer, identified in the record as John, told the council the decision to leave full time was difficult and framed it as an entrepreneurial opportunity. Kevin Spackman said remaining available as a part‑time officer was important to him and noted family reasons for the change; he told the council he and his wife are expecting a baby in May.
Council moved, seconded and approved a motion to acknowledge Kevin Spackman's resignation effective Dec. 31, 2025, and a second motion to acknowledge the designation of John (surname variously recorded in the transcript) as a full‑time patrol officer effective Dec. 31, 2025. The council then voted to appoint both men as part‑time patrol officers effective Jan. 1, 2026; the motions passed on voice votes.
The council administered the oath of office and the newly appointed part‑time officers signed the required paperwork at the meeting.
The presentation by Levine emphasized the program's growth — including training drivers in Columbus and other districts — and argued that bus drivers often lack training to recognize or respond to threats on board. Levine said STAR uses scenario‑based instruction and that the new positions will allow the officers to devote more time to that training work.
The council did not take further formal action related to the officers’ outside employment during the meeting. The oath and appointments were the immediate formal steps recorded.
