Todd Draper sworn in as new Medina police chief

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Todd Draper takes the oath of office as Medina police chief this evening in the Medina Senior Center. He is joined by his wife Tricia and their son Tyler.

Draper takes over for Chad Kenward, who retired on June 9 after 7 1/2 years as chief and 20 years with the Medina PD. Draper has been with the medina Police Department the past 18 years, and was the department’s second in command as lieutenant.

“I feel very confident in him,” Kenward said about Draper. “We worked very well together. He has a lot of integrity and he knows the job very well.”

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari presents Chad Kenward with a plaque in appreciation for his service as police chief. Kenward was praised on the plaque for his “professionalism, dedication, and service to the Medina Police Department and the Citizens of Medina. We wish you all the best in your retirement.”

Don Draper, a retired Medina police chief, puts the chief’s pin on his son, Todd Draper. The retired police chief has another son, Don Jr., who is the county’s undersheriff, with another son Mike as county 911 dispatcher. Another son Steven works as a career firefighter in South Carolina. Todd, 41, is the youngest of the four brothers.

“We were born and bred for public service,” Todd Draper said.

His mother Nancy also was a long-time court clerk for Medina.

Todd Draper takes the oath of office while joined by family members including his father Don Draper, mother Nancy, son Tyler and wife Tricia.

Draper said he enjoys working in his hometown. He will lead a department of 12 full-time officers when fully staffed. The department is currently low on officers with four in the police academy. They will soon join the Medina PD.

Three of the recruits are in the police academy in Niagara County and one is in Monroe County. Draper said he would like the four to be sworn in during the June 26 Village Board meeting.