Medina swears in new police chief, 10-year veteran of department

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Christian Navas was sworn in as Medina’s police chief during Monday’s Medina Village Board meeting. His wife Stephanie pins the stars on the chief’s collar.

Navas was joined at the swearing in by his daughters, Mackenzie and Layla.

Navas is a 10-year veteran of the Medina Police Department. He has worked his way up from the ranks from patrolman and officer to sergeant, lieutenant and acting chief.

“I chose to remain with the Village of Medina Police Department for a decade because I believe in this department and the community it serves,” Navas said. “Taking on the role of Chief was a natural step to provide steady leadership, support our officers, and continue moving the department forward.”

The Village Board approved one other promotion in the Police Department on Monday. Jonathan McManus was named sergeant. He joined the Medina PD on Sept. 26, 2022.

Many of the department’s officers, including retired police chief Todd Draper, attended the swearing-in as a show of support for Navas in his new role.

Navas as acting chief convinced the Village Board last month to use grant funds towards a three-year lease agreement with Flock Safety to install License Plate Readers and PTZ safety cameras in Medina.

Navas said the cameras and readers will help officers investigate crimes, locate missing persons, and respond faster when public safety is at risk. They capture license plate information and vehicle details that can be crucial in trying to identify suspects, recover stolen vehicles, or respond to time-sensitive cases, he said.

But there has been some backlash since the announcement on Nov. 25.

The board on Monday said a committee will be working with Navas on a policy for how the readers will be used. One business owner on Monday told the board he didn’t want the readers and cameras to be used with ICE enforcement.

The Police Department issued a press release on Nov. 25, stating the cameras won’t be used for issuing tickets, tracking personal movement for minor violations, identifying individuals or running facial recognition, accessing personal cell phones or any private data.

“These cameras are strictly for investigative use after a crime or emergency has occurred,” the department said.