Capt. Justin Hays holds his 1-month-old son Lorenzo as he poses for photos with his family: wife Emily Bustamardte, and daughters Isabella, 7, Elena, 4; as well as Police Chief John Lane.

Capt. Justin Hays, East Liverpool Police Department, is pinned with his captain’s badge following his swearing in ceremony.

Hays wife, Emily Bustamardte, proudly pinned his captain’s badge on him after he was sworn in by Mayor Bobby Smith, with his parents Jason and Shari Hays, his children Elena, 4, Isabella, 7, Lorenzo, 1 month, Police Chief John Lane and his fellow officers.

Hays, who will mark his second anniversary with the East Liverpool Police Department in June, also served at the Lisbon Police Department for two years and prior to that with the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office.

He took the captain’s exam a year ago and has been eagerly waiting for the position to open.

“This is a huge achievement for me,” Hays said. “This is one of the main reasons that I came down here, it was because there were going to be some openings for supervisors. This is one of the things I have always wanted to do and I’m glad I’m here. I’m ready to get started.

Hays will still be out on patrol and will be serving as captain on the midnight shift.

Hays has had a long-time interest in law enforcement beginning as child. The father of a childhood school mate was a sergeant for East Palestine. Hays said he grew up watching him and seeing what he did and got real interested in it. By the time he reached high school, he knew law enforcement was what he wanted to do. After graduation he attended Youngstown State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and then attended the police academy.

Lane said he is glad to have Hays and he has been very patient in waiting for this promotion.

Now with a captain on each shift and the end of the school year approaching, freeing up the two school resource officers for patrol duty, the chief is feeling comfortable with the staffing for summer. Lane did note that he would like to be able to hire one more officer that could serve part-time with the department and part-time with the Columbiana County Drug Task Force to further the recent momentum for drug busts in the city.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com