Toledo, Ohio – Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz announced during his annual State of the City address that former Toledo Police Chief George Kral will become the city’s next Safety Director. Kral will take over the position from Karen Poore, who is set to retire at the end of the month after serving in the role for several years.
Mayor Kapszukiewicz praised Kral’s extensive experience and dedication to Toledo, stating that the city is in a stronger position in terms of public safety but needs continued leadership to sustain the progress. “We’re in a better place than we have been in public safety, but there’s one last piece of the puzzle, and that’s leadership,” Kapszukiewicz said. “We need leadership to make sure we continue this progress.”
Kral, who retired as Toledo’s police chief in 2023, briefly took on a new role with the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, overseeing statewide forensics and northern operations. Despite his state-level responsibilities, Kral’s commitment to Toledo remained strong. “He went to work for the state for a little bit, now he’s back because he told us his heart was always in Toledo,” the mayor remarked.
Poore’s retirement marks the end of her tenure as Safety Director, a role she has held for several years. Under her leadership, Toledo made notable strides in public safety, but Kral’s appointment signals the city’s ongoing focus on reducing crime and improving overall safety.
Kapszukiewicz expressed his commitment to continuing efforts in crime reduction, highlighting the city’s work to lower homicide and burglary rates. “We won’t rest until there are no homicides and no burglaries,” the mayor affirmed, underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum in Toledo’s public safety initiatives.
With Kral’s return to Toledo, city officials are hopeful that his expertise and leadership will play a key role in further advancing safety and security for residents. As the city transitions to a new chapter in its safety leadership, all eyes will be on the former police chief to see how he addresses the challenges ahead.