Leaders of Trumbull County's Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Wednesday said they are satisfied with the apology offered by a Warren police lieutenant.
The clergy leaders met last month with Lt. Joseph Marhulik as well as Warren police Chief Tim Bowers and Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin after learning Marhulik had used racial slurs toward two men while off duty in August. He also admitted to using a city-issued car while under the influence of both alcohol and prescription medication.
"We believe him and that he has just made a mistake," said Pastor Joshua Moore, president of the Alliance.
Marhulik was issued a 10-day suspension after taking responsibility for what he'd done. Although she called the situation "terrible," Pastor Gayle Salter, Alliance vice president, said she thought the situation was taken care of adequately.
The ministers said Marhulik, who's now in line for a promotion to captain, has since entered counseling. They said as long as he completes his treatment, they have no problems if Marhulik is promoted.
While city administrators have not decided Marhulik's future just yet, they admitted they've learned from the department's previous racially-charged problems.
"The important thing is that all the parties involved are communicating and getting a better understanding of each others' concerns," said Mayor Michael O'Brien.
In the meantime, Alliance leaders are giving credit to recently-promoted Bowers for handling the incident in what they called a "proactive" way, admitting they probably wouldn't have felt the same about former Chief John Mandopolous.
They're now hoping they will be able to continue improving the relationship between the police and the community and said both sides need each other.
