Brian Harding lowered his head Tuesday morning as his wife pinned his police chief badge on him. She smiled.
The intimate moment at the swearing-in ceremony marked Brian Harding’s latest career milestone as the new leader of Akron’s police department.
“I think it’s just getting started,” Michelle Harding later said of her husband’s promotion from acting police chief.
“You know, Brian loves Akron and wants to make it a better place.”
The couple was joined at the Akron Civic Theatre’s Knight Stage by dozens of Akron police officers, city administrators, City Council members and other city stakeholders. Harding, 52, now leads a police department that Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said enjoys its largest staffing budget in three decades. Harding, meanwhile, said he is focused on community engagement, recruitment, retention and the reduction of violent crime.
“We recognize that effective policing goes beyond enforcement,” Harding said. “It requires genuine connection, understanding and trust.”
To get here, Harding will have to build and repair relationships in some neighborhoods. Leading up to Tuesday’s event, some local leaders and residents expressed disappointment in the mayor’s selection of Harding as the new police chief, criticizing the lack of diversity in the internal search.
After five months as acting police chief, Harding was previously named the sole remaining candidate.
How will Harding serve Akron? Mayor has prediction
While Harding commands the police force, he, like many public servants, Malik said, reports to the Akron community.
“I was so glad on January 1 that he was willing to step into the role of acting chief and lead the department,” Malik said. “Whether that was only for a couple of months, or, as I thought might be the case, much longer.”
Ward 5 Council Member Johnnie Hannah called Harding’s role a great moment for Akron.
“And hopefully he’ll be able to take the city forward and connect with all of the community,” Hannah said, “not just one segment.”
Akron police chief: ‘ I really am passionate about service’
Other community members have expressed concerns in public meetings, going as far as to boo Harding during his responses at an April town hall.
“Judge me by the actions that I do and don’t do,” Harding said Tuesday. “I think I’ve tried to be purposeful in that. I’ve had the opportunity to serve this community for 28 years. I really am passionate about service. I really look forward to coming to work every day. So I would just ask for the opportunity.”
Tuesday’s ceremony was short — just under 20 minutes — and was closed to the public, which the city said was due to the size of the venue.