Mark Fender, Retiring Police Chief
Q: Could you tell me about your experience with the Strongsville Police Department?
Fender: I was sworn in as the chief of police on Jan. 6, 2017, but I’ve been with the city since 1988. My experience has been highly rewarding, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have led this organization.
Q: What have been some of the highlights of your career?
Fender: One highlight has been to see very professional men and women respond to their calls and interact in a very professional and compassionate manner.
Q: What areas were you most focused on as chief of police?
Fender: The biggest focus for me as the chief was succession planning. We sent our people to all different areas of leadership development, and that has produced the strongest bench that we could ask for.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
Fender: I enjoy my family. I have a granddaughter who is gifted at volleyball, so my focus will be on helping her. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife. I plan to spend some time with my son who lives in Florida and travel to Italy to officiate my daughter’s wedding. I also enjoy fishing. I don’t plan to stay retired — that’s just a word we use when we transition out of one profession.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Fender: It’s a team effort to keep our community safe. If we lose the trust of our community, we lose the respect we need as law enforcement. We want people to feel comfortable so they can call when they see something that doesn’t look right.
Thomas O’Deens, Incoming Police Chief
Q: Could you tell me about your experience within the Strongsville Police Department?
O’Deens: I’ve been here for 27 years and worked my way up through patrol in the detective bureau. I was promoted to sergeant and then promoted to lieutenant.
Q: What does it mean to you to have been promoted to police chief?
O’Deens: It’s very humbling considering what great men and women we have working for this department. I look forward to all the challenges and keeping our department the best around.
Q: What are some of your goals as police chief?
O’Deens: We’re always trying to keep the bar as high as possible, and our relationships with schools, businesses, churches and residents are a priority. Safety is a top priority.
Q: Are there any improvements you’re looking to make?
O’Deens: We’re always trying to upgrade our technology to stay ahead of the curve.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
O’Deens: I like to spend time with my family and my grandchildren. I like going to sporting events and fishing.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the Strongsville Police Department?
O’Deens: We’ve got great men and women in our department, and they’re so professional, intelligent and passionate about law enforcement. It makes my job easy.
