AKRON, Ohio – Mayor Dan Horrigan swore in Stephen L. Mylett as the new chief of the Akron Police Department during a ceremony Thursday.

What You Need To Know

  • Mylett will oversee more than 500 subordinates and manage a budget of about $70 million

  • Mylett steps into the role at a time when violent crime is escalating and community trust in police is strained

  • Prior to his last position as police chief in Bellevue, Washington, Mylett was chief of police in Southlake, Texas

 

Mylett will oversee a department of more than 500 subordinates, including officers, supervisors and civilians, and manage a budget of about $70 million. Mylett will be paid an annual salary of $144,788.80 with a potential annual bonus of $29,722.20.

He was hired following a nation-wide search that narrowed the field to four, with one candidate dropping out in the final weeks. None of the candidates were from Akron.

Mylett steps into the role at a time when violent crime in Akron is escalating and community trust in police is strained, Horrigan said during the search.

Mylett, 56, said those issues will be his top priotority. 

“I look forward to engaging with the men and women of this department and with the community at large to develop a shared vision for a safer Akron,” Mylett said in a news release.

Horrigan said Mylett is the right chief for the city.

“This is a challenging time to be in law enforcement, and it takes a strong, ethical leader to not only inspire a department but also help unite a community when facing adversity,” Horrigan said.

Most recently, Mylett was police chief in Bellevue, Washington. Prior to that, he was chief of police in Southlake, Texas for three years.. From 1989 to 2011, ee worked in law enforcement in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Before entering law enforcemen, he was in the U.S. Air Force.  

He takes the helm from Chief Kenneth Ball who retired in February after 29 years with the department, the last three as chief.