AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron is making a last push to drive residents to an online survey where they can indicate what they want in a new police chief. The city is also looking to hire 50 new police officers over the next two years.
The deadline to weigh in on the top cop job is Friday, April 23. Last week, the city issued robocalls from Mayor Dan Horrigan urging residents to take the survey, which consists of 15 questions, with the last two optional.
“It only takes a few minutes, but it’s your chance to have your voice heard,” Horrigan said on the recording.
Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball retired in February, after 29 years with the department, with the last three years as chief.
In announcing the police chief search, the city said it would go beyond the typical 75 to 90 days a job search typically takes and had hired a firm, Ralph Andersen & Associates, to lead the search.
Resident input is important because the police chief job goes well beyond managing the day-to-day operations of the police force, city Chief of Staff Annie McFadden wrote in an email.
“He/she should be the face and voice of the police department, responsive to community needs, a driver for growth and change in a quickly evolving world, and also a balanced and trusted leader for our public safety forces,” McFadden said.
Beyond that, Akronites are a tight-knit group and outspoken about equity, discrimination and economic opportunities, she said.
“This combination will require a chief to be willing to properly engage the community and community leaders,” McFadden said. “Building this trust is necessary if we are to move towards productive change.”
A new chief will face the pressures of a significant increase in Akron gun violence over the past few years.
With 17 homicides so far this year, the Akron police reported 50 murders in 2020, up from 33 in 2019 and 32 in 2018, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
Currently, 12 new officers are going through the Akron Police Academy to fill positions in community policing, neighborhood response and gun violence reduction, the city said. The positions were paid for through a $4 million federal award from the 2020 Community Oriented Policing Hiring Program.
The department plans to use data to track down and eliminate illegal weapons in the city, while the officers will focus on Akron hot spots for gun crime, the city said.
In May 2020, the city graduated 45 officers in the first Akron Police Academy class since 2008 when training ended because of lack of funding.
Now, over the next two years, the city plans to hire 50 new recruits to handle attrition and retirements, said police spokesman Lt. Michael Miller.
The city will look to hire officers who “reflect the citizens of our community” and “have a public service mindset,” Horrigan said in a release.
“Being a police officer is not for everyone. It is a difficult job that asks a lot of whoever puts on that uniform,” Horrigan said. “We expect our officers to be of the highest caliber and to have a passion for public service and the residents of this great city. They are the frontline ambassadors in the neighborhoods — providing direct assistance to residents in need and keeping our community safe.”
Applications will be taken through June 25, and a written exam is scheduled for July 30 and 31, the city said. A physical fitness test, a background investigation and a polygraph also are required.
Applicants must be between 21 and 40 years old and have a driver’s license and high school diploma or GED. Compensation for an entry-level officer begins at $58,864 plus benefits.
For more information, see the city’s job post.