The Poland Township Police Department began providing services on January 1, 1978. Former township trustees David Ludt, Nick Jeswald, and Jack Raupple hired Lee Goodin as the first Chief of Police. The original staff included a Chief of Police, four full-time patrol officers, and four reserve officers.

The original uniform, which Chief Goodin designed, consisted of black shirts, gray trousers with a black stripe, and gray campaign-style hats. The department fleet consisted of two 1977 Dodge police cruisers that were white with a blue stripe on each side. Each new police cruiser cost $4,500.00.

Police Chief Carl Massullo was appointed Acting Chief on August 7, 1991, and full-time chief on January 1, 1992. The department consists of seven full-time and four part-time officers under the general supervision of the Chief of Police. Chief Massullo changed the police uniforms to the traditional blue uniforms. The department has a D.A.R.E. officer and a certified firearms instructional officer.

During the 1990s, great strides were made toward professionalizing the department’s training programs and purchasing additional equipment. In November 1995, the Board of Trustees authorized the construction of a new police complex to house a growing police department.

Poland Township wishes a heartfelt farewell to the police chief. Poland Township Police Chief Brian Goodin had been a policeman in Poland Township for 38 years, the last 18 as chief.

Wednesday night, February 16, 2022, was about saying thanks and good luck. “I can’t take credit for everything. These guys made this department, and the community made this department. I just happened to be the person who was part of it,” Goodin said.

Of everything he’s done in law enforcement, Goodin says his most rewarding was teaching D.A.R.E., a program that teaches students to lead lives free of violence and drug abuse.