Norwalk police chief says farewell

NORWALK — Norwalk police chief Mike Conney has been with the Norwalk police department for more than 31 years. He worked his way through every aspect of the department as an officer, detective, sergeant, captain and, finally, chief. On Friday, the Norwalk native put on his uniform for the last time. "Thirty-one years has flown by," Conney said. Announcing his retirement in July, Conney's departure is a logistical decision, though not an easy one, he said. Conney, who could have retired at 48, has maxed out his pension after eight years in the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund. His retirement is to avoid a financial penalization. "I'm really not ready to go," Conney said. "I thought 8 years would be a long time when I signed up for it, but it went by fast." He said he thought about being a police officer even as a kid. "I was always interested in law enforcement, it seemed to be a really honorable job," Conney said. "Something that would be exciting and benefit the society and community." Conney has worked for Norwalk police force since 1988, immediately joining the auxiliary program after wrapping up four years as an active-duty Marine. Born and raised in Norwalk, Conney was a member of St. Paul's 1984 graduating class, the same year as his wife, Cindy. Conney joined the Marines his junior year of high school. Even after traveling to far ends of the world, Conney said he always felt connected to Norwalk "When you're a kid you think it's so boring. I want to see the world, which I did," Conney said. "But I missed the small-town feel of Norwalk. "Being raised here and then living in other places you feel connected to where you're from and you feel that you owe your community," Conney said. He initially applied for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, but Conney was turned away for colorblindness and slight vision problems. Conney spoke to former Norwalk police Captain Mike Ruggles who encouraged him to join the Norwalk auxiliary team. The team paid for Conney's police academy tuition and his equipment. As part of being a member of the auxiliary force, Conney volunteered as an unpaid Norwalk police officer for two years. He worked sporting events and filled in as a backup road patrol officer. "I really loved it," Conney said. "It was never the same day twice, everything that happened may be similar but had its own nuances, it was fun. "It felt like you were doing something that made a difference, something that mattered," he added. Once he was hired full-time, Conney worked road patrol between 1990 and 1994, he was moved into the station in 1995 as a detective. After a year in the detective bureau, he returned to the roads and patrolled Norwalk streets for another 16 years. "Patrol officer is the best one," Conney said. "You have interaction with complete strangers day in and day out. "That is the spot you will have the most impact on someone's life. Small things that can change someone's life," he said. With a chuckle, Conney remembered a couple occasions in the grocery store in which familiar faces would approach him. "I would be in the grocery store back when I was working the road, and people would come up," Conney said. "They would come up and say, 'Hey, I remember you, you arrested me. You were really nice.' "That's how you're supposed to be," he added. "It's how you should behave. It's how you are supposed to treat people." Norwalk Mayor Dave Light previously served as Norwalk police chief before leaving the department in 2018. Conney took over as interim chief in February 2018 and was named chief in June 2018. Conney said the transition brought a need for delegation and a newfound responsibility. "You have to delegate a lot more," Conney said. "You realize you're responsible for the whole department. The sergeants, captains and the officers are getting the work done, you have to ensure you're doing the best you can for them so they can do their work." After retirement from the police force, Conney plans to continue teaching at EHOVE's police academy, a position he's been in for over 10 years. "You get to see people that are still interested in serving the community," Conney said. "It's a good opportunity for seeing others who you may want working for you eventually." Conney said post-retirement life will include much missed family holidays. "I owe (my wife Cindy) pretty much everything, I wouldn't be sitting where I am today without her love and support." Conney said. "For at least 30 years I wouldn't be around for anniversaries, birthdays or Christmas, she would always find a way to work around it." Norwalk City Council plans on interviewing two new candidates for the chief job, both active Norwalk police personnel. Sgt. James Montana and Cpt. David Smith are expected to interview Christmas week, according to City Council president Stephen Euton.