There has never been a greater need for leadership among police, considering recent trying times for the profession, Toledo Police Chief Kral told eight police officers promoted Friday to sergeant or command ranks.

“Today we are promoting literally every level of our rank structure.... It means that we are getting new leaders,” Chief Kral said, noting that the pandemic, protest rallies, and defund-the-police rhetoric have created challenges that call for new police leaders coming up with new ideas.

“This has been the worst 18 months in decades, if not more. And it's their responsibility and my responsibility to put our officers in the positions where they feel motivated about doing a good job,” he said.

During a 30-minute ceremony at Toledo City Council Chambers, Chief Kral promoted Capt. Sue Surgo to deputy chief, Lt. Bryan Hollingsworth and Lt. Kellie Lenhardt to captain, Sgt. Paul Davis and Sgt. Greg Wallace to lieutenant, and patrolmen Dustin Rausch, Kevin Currie, and Bryan Staup to sergeant.

“This is at least a two-year evolution from studying four-to-five hours a day for months to going through oral interviews and written exercises,” Chief Kral said. “And to be sitting where they are now, it’s very satisfying to them and it shows that their hard work has paid off.”

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, who gave a congratulatory address, agreed with the police chief.

“You need to inspire the people under your command to do great things,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz told the newly promoted. “The need has never been greater.”

Attending family members included Don Kenney, a retired Toledo police deputy chief who had a reputation as a “cop's cop” over 33 years at the department and the father of newly minted Captain Lenhardt.

“I am very proud of her,” Mr. Kenney said. “She’s always been a go-getter and she always worked hard.”

Mr. Kenney also said he was equally happy and proud of all those promoted Friday, noting that all of them were already with the department when he retired in May, 2015.

“It almost feels like a regime change, since we are getting so many people promoted,” said Officer Andrew Dlugosielski, the department’s assistant public-information officer. “Lots of new leaders. It will breathe new life into the department. And it would breathe new life into the city.”

First Published June 18, 2021, 6:57 p.m.