The Akron Police Department has a new chief

AKRON, Ohio — There’s a new leader in the Akron Police Department: Chief Brian Harding. He was sworn in as the city’s new police chief Tuesday morning. Harding said he never imagined he would take on the role.

“As a 21-year-old University of Akron student working at Swenson’s to pay for college, I never saw myself as your police chief,” Harding said.

Harding said it was a great honor to be the new police chief, but many civic groups across the country were not happy with the decision to give Harding the title. Mayor Shammas Malik said the road to getting there was not an easy one. There was a lot of pushback after Malik announced several months ago that the new police chief would be hired from within. Malik expressed that he thought Harding was the right man for the job.

“A man of integrity. His passion for public service is evident to anyone who spends time with him. He is proud of this department and of his service to the citizens,” Malik said.

Harding expressed that he hopes the community will let his actions speak for themselves as the new chief, and he hopes the community will give him a chance. Harding emphasized some of his priorities, including community engagement and leaders in his department.

“We are partners with the people we serve every day, but at the same time we try with all the determination and intent to get the most diverse and at the same time best officers we can get,” Harding said.

Harding has been a member of the Akron Police Department since 1995 and explained what he would tell his younger self, who was just starting his career.

“Let your heart guide you, continue to try to be sociable, treat every person with dignity and respect, no matter how they interact,” Harding said.