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Marietta swears in first new female police officer in 25 years

By Gwen Sour 2 min read

MARIETTA -- Samantha Tromblay was sworn in Wednesday morning as the fourth female police officer in Marietta's history and the first woman hired by the department in 25 years, according to Police Chief Katie Warden.

Tromblay, a lateral transfer from the Columbus Police Department, lives in Waterford and will begin working on the street Monday with a field training officer.

Warden said she was the department's most recent female hire before Tromblay joined.

"I was the last one to be hired, and that was 25 years ago," Warden said.

Tromblay approached the department about joining after settling in the area and commuting to Columbus for work, Warden said. As a lateral transfer, she brings prior police training and experience to the position.

"She actually found us. She came and approached us," Warden said.

The move allows Tromblay to work closer to home after driving back and forth to Columbus each day.

With Tromblay's addition, the department has 28 officers, including five recruits attending the police academy, Warden said. The department is allotted 30 positions, leaving two openings.

The five recruits are training at Hocking and are expected to complete the academy in mid-December. Warden said all five are new to police work and are expected to begin working on the street in December.

The department also hired another experienced officer who transferred from New Jersey. Warden said his family had moved to the area, and he subsequently decided to relocate as well.

The recent hires come as the department works to attract applicants in a competitive recruiting environment.

Warden said Marietta has felt some effects of what she described as a national police staffing shortage. Officers' ability to transfer to agencies offering higher pay or better benefits can make recruitment and retention difficult, she said.

"Trying to stay attractive to policing candidates can be very difficult," Warden said.

The department has changed some of its hiring processes and increased advertising to reach potential applicants, she said. Word of mouth helped connect the department with its recent lateral hires.

With experienced officers joining the department and five recruits approaching graduation, Warden said a new group of officers is preparing to serve the community.

"Got a new generation coming up," she said.

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