Mayor-elect Shammas Malik announced a nationwide search to find a replacement for Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett, who will retire at the end of the year. Public engagement and community input will be prioritized in the search, which is expected to take up to five months, according to a press release issued on Malik’s campaign website.
The City of Akron is contracting with Ralph Anderson & Associates, the firm that led the search for Mylett, and will begin soliciting internal and external candidates for consideration after the new year.
During the search period, Akron Deputy Chief Brian Harding will step into the role of acting chief beginning January 1.
“I’m pleased that Deputy Chief Harding has agreed to take on the role of Acting Chief to lead the Akron Police Department,” Malik said in the release. “As a long-time member of this department, he not only has the experience to lead, but also the institutional knowledge that has made him an invaluable part of the organization. His proven skills in public service, community engagement, relationship building, and leadership will be crucial to the important work that our officers do day in and day out for the Akron community.”
Harding has 28 years of law enforcement experience and has worked for APD since 1995. Prior to taking on the role as acting chief, he was promoted to deputy chief in November of 2021.
“I am honored Mayor-Elect has entrusted me to lead the department through this transitional phase,” Harding said in the release. “My goal will be to continue to make the city a safe place for our residents and visitors, and I am committed to leading an efficient and community-focused police force. It is the highest privilege to serve the citizens of Akron alongside the outstanding men and women of this department.”
Akron residents can access a community survey to weigh in on what they want from the next Akron Police Department (APD) leader. Paper copies can be picked up at local community centers soon. The survey is currently in English, and within the next week will be translated into Spanish and Hmong. In addition to the community survey, an internal survey will be issued to current APD members to hear what they want in their next chief.
Community members are welcome to attend a town hall Thursday, Jan. 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Garfield Community Learning Center “to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas in person regarding the Police Chief search,” the release said. It will also be live streamed on the city’s YouTube page.
“As we conduct the search for Chief Mylett’s replacement, we recognize the importance of community involvement and the role of the process itself,” Malik said. “Having a transparent process will be crucial as we continue to build trust with our community. Through these surveys and a community townhall we’ll be able to provide critical input to the search team. Public safety is the top priority of my new administration, and together, we will work towards a common goal of effective and community-focused policing for Akron.”
