Akron mayor officially names interim leader Brian Harding as city's new police chief
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Akron officially has a new chief of police.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced Friday that Brian Harding will assume the role of police chief.
The city will hold an official swearing-in ceremony for Harding the week of May 27 with more details to follow.
“I believe Chief Harding’s experience, work ethic, integrity, and heart for public service make him the right person to lead the Akron Police Department,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a news release. “He will be a key partner in implementing our administration’s vision for public safety, including strengthening APD’s efforts to combat violence, building trust and accountability, refocusing on community policing, and prioritizing recruitment and retention of a strong, effective, and diverse workforce. I am thankful for Chief Harding’s service and his continued commitment to our city.”
“I am honored to serve the Akron community, and the officers and civilian staff of the Akron Police Department as the next Chief of Police," Harding said in the release. "This is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I plan to work closely with our team and our community as we take strides together to create the city we all want.”
Who is Akron's new top cop?: Follow Brian Harding's path from patrol duty to police chief
Harding, who has been serving as acting chief since former Chief Steve Mylett's departure, ended up the only candidate for the job after what was supposed to be a nationwide search fell apart.
In March, Malik announced that the police chief search would be restricted to internal candidates only because of a state law prohibiting external candidates from filling vacancies above entry-level positions in city safety forces.
"Our city charter could trump that state law," Malik said, "however, our city charter states that promotions should occur internally 'whenever practicable.'"
Malik said his administration would pursue putting a charter amendment on the November ballot that would broaden future searches.
The administration extended the deadline for applications, but the only people eligible to apply were deputy chiefs and captains.
Since multiple deputy chiefs applied, no captains could be considered — removing the opportunity to hire a minority candidate into the chief role.
Malik's decision and the parameters of the search drew criticism from the Black Elected Officials of Summit County, helmed by At-Large Akron City Councilwoman Linda Omobien. Members of the community also expressed a desire for a wider search.
Nevertheless, Malik declined to pause the search.
Two candidates emerged: Harding and Deputy Chief Brian Leeser. However, Leeser was eliminated from consideration shortly before the first of two town halls designed to allow community members to speak to the candidates.
What we know about new Akron Police Chief Brian Harding
Harding holds a bachelor's degree in technical education with an associate degree in criminal justice, both from the University of Akron. He also graduated from Leadership Akron's Class 39, has attended the Police Executive Leadership College, and currently serves as a board member of the Victim Assistance Program.
Harding and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 28 years, and they have two children.
He's spent all of his 28 years in law enforcement with APD, joining the department in 1995. During his tenure, he has been promoted multiple times, most recently to deputy chief in November 2021.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Interim leader Brian Harding officially named new Akron police chief
