TOLEDO, Ohio — Update: Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz announced Thursday that Assistant Police Chief Michael Troendle will step into the role of interim chief when George Kral retires on Monday.
While interim police chief Michael Troendle is temporarily holding the office, the search for a permanent chief will be underway.
Whoever succeeds TPD chief George Kral, whose last day in office will be Jan. 10, will have a lot on their plate. Toledoans WTOL 11 spoke with said the city's need for more police officers, high homicide numbers and a disconnect between law enforcement and the community are just some of the issues facing the next TPD chief.
Shawn Mahone Sr, who runs a Toledo-based youth intervention program, said he hopes the new chief brings focus and dedication to the position.
"Accountability about the community, and being able to make sure that he helps his officers be able to perform at the highest standard possible," Mahone said.
Michael Roby, a community leader of Franklin Park, Pine Glen Park, and Whitmer -Trilby Neighbors Association, said the new chief should take some notes from Kral, who served has served in TPD since 1990.
"I hope that the new chief would have the same type of open door policy (Kral) has," Roby said.
Toledoan Berta Kurti said it's important for the chief to be an understanding person. She wants to see someone with compassion and kindness who will "give second chances and understand if someone does something wrong."
Juliana Barcenas, a fellow Toledoan, said the qualities of a stern enforcer need to be in the next police chief as well. Toledo had 65 recorded homicides in 2022, the second highest in city history.
"Someone that can crack down on people harder and quicker response times. Basically, showing the community that they care," Barcenas.
Both Roby and Mahone said the chief needs to recognize their job is not a one-person job. It's all about working with, and within, the community.
"They definitely need to be able to communicate well with the public," Roby said.
Mahone said the chief should make officers leave their vehicles and walk the residential communities that they patrol to connect with the people who live there.
"How do we work together as a team to help him be successful at what it is he or her is called to do?" Mahone said.