CLEVELAND — Akron's new police chief has been settling into his role after just a few months on the job.

The change is a big one, for a city still recovering from the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker by police officers two years ago. Chief Brian Harding said he is promising to restore trust with the community. 

What You Need To Know

• Spectrum news had a one on one sit down with Akron Police Chief Brian Harding


• Harding knows it’s going to take more than new officers to build trust a community


• Judi Hill, the president of the Akron NAACP said she's been communicating with Chief Harding

A city that’s has been recovering and trying to heal wounds along the way. Akron has been at the forefront of re-building trust with law enforcement and the community. The death of Jayland Walker, a turning point in this community, after he was shot by eight Akron officers two years ago.

Harding said his goal going forward is simple.

“So for me was really, continuing the push around community engagement, around building relationships with the people we serve every day,” Harding said.

As 25% of officers are eligible for retirement, Harding, who was officially sworn in May, said he is already looking to bring new and good quality officers to the department.

“Just looking for people with a call to service, looking for people every day that want to make a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

But Harding knows it’s going to take more than new officers to build trust a community that’s been through so much.

“But it’s also really important that the people in the community get to know the officers that are probably going to be the ones responding to their calls every day,” he said. “I think it kind of humanizes both sides, it allows the officers to maybe not be in an enforcement roll in that moment just really get out and engage but It also allows the community members to learn more about the officers who get the opportunity to serve them,”. 

Harding said he knows it’s going to take a long time to improve relationships with Akron residents, but he’s been doing everything can, including meeting with community leaders like the Akron National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Judi Hill, the president of the Akron NAACP, said she’s been communicating with Harding.

“I believe everyone that takes on a leadership role in the City of Akron wants to do well. I have to believe that,” she said.

Hill previously criticized the city’s decision in not including a diverse pool of candidates for the new chief, but now has faith while asking for more accountability.

“The issue over at the gas station where a male lost his life because of poor, in my opinion, poor police practices which are still in existence that we still need to address. De-escalation that needs to be implemented better, still an issue, and so we’re waiting for those changes and we know they don’t happen overnight,” she said.

Hill referred to an officer involved shooting last month that killed 54-year-old Michael Jones after he being pulled over for a stolen vehicle. Harding said he will continue more de-escalation practices.

“As we go into next year, we’re going to be rolling out additional advanced de-escalation training and tactical training for our officers on how to respond,” he said.

Through the good and bad days police officers have seen in their city, it’s the bigger picture that has kept Harding hopeful for a better future.