East Liverpool police officers look on as Mayor Bobby Smith swears in new police officer Nicholas J. Bowan. (Photo courtesy of Police Chief John Lane)

EAST LIVERPOOL — Nicholas J. Bowan, 28, Lisbon, became the newest member of the East Liverpool Police Department after being sworn in as a patrolman by Mayor Bobby Smith on Monday.

Bowan hit the ground running with his first patrol beginning right after his swearing-in ceremony.

Chief John Lane said this was a good thing for the police department, and it now brings their staffing to 18, which Lane says leaves the day shift a little short with having two officers in the schools. Lane noted he would like to have one more officer for the department.

Bowan will work the day shift.

Bowan, who grew up in Lisbon, is a 2016 graduate of David Anderson Jr./Sr. High School. He also attended Columbiana County Career and Technical Center Police Academy, where he completed his law enforcement training in 2025. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served four years in Infantry.

His prior law enforcement experience includes working as a part-time officer for the Columbiana Police Department.

Bowan said he decided to come to the East Liverpool Police Department because it has more benefits and seems like a fun department to work for, and he likes the people that work there.

His decision to go into law enforcement is based on his military experience. He said law enforcement is closely related to that, and he likes the structure of it.

Bowan described his first couple of days with the East Liverpool Police Department as busy and said it’s been awesome, and he loves it there.

He feels like he fits right in and has found a home there.