AKRON, Ohio — Less than one month after taking office, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik gave an update on a variety of topics, including recent policy updates, the 2024 capital budget, 311 app data and more.
Additionally, Mayor Malik was joined by the following officials at the Osaseck Building Auditorium in Akron:
- Acting Police Chief Brian Harding
- Chief of Staff Brittany Zaehringer
- Chief of Strategy Nanette Pitt
During the press conference, Mayor Malik announced that uniformed police officers will have to return to wearing nametags by March 1. According to Malik, this was a decision that former Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett made before the end of 2023.
Akron police previously stopped wearing name tags in July 2022 due to the threats following the Jayland Walker shooting.
“At the end of the day, we have to balance the need to have community policing and building relationships against the safety concerns that are there. I think that was a safety concern for a particular moment in time, but now we need to get back to the regular order of doing things,” said Mayor Malik.
Mayor Malik also announced that the city has opened up the application for Akron’s next police chief. Candidates can apply HERE by Monday, March 4.
"The ideal candidate for the next Chief of Police will be capable of inspiring trust and confidence in all of Akron's diverse communities, as well as earning the respect and confidence of both sworn and civilian employees," said Mayor Malik. "We are looking for someone who is well-versed in community-oriented policing and has a proven reputation for being accessible and transparent while building partnerships between the department and the community to address crime and quality of life challenges. I look forward to reviewing the survey feedback we receive from both our residents and our Akron Police employees to better inform our search process."
3News streamed the press conference live, which can be watched below.
The city’s ideal candidate will have the following:
- Have demonstrated the ability to hold others accountable to values characterized by a commitment to integrity, honesty, transparency, humility, proactivity, innovation, equity, compassion, service excellence, and responsive leadership;
- Have extensive knowledge of complex urban environments and a demonstrated commitment to equitably serving, recruiting minority candidates, and working with all spectrums of multi-racial, multi-cultural, multireligious, and socioeconomically diverse communities;
- Exhibit outstanding communication skills; be hands-on, open, and receptive to working with people to create and sustain an environment of trust and respect;
- Possess the ability to be politically and technologically savvy, and have the ability to receive constructive criticism;
- Demonstrate the ability to make decisions based on facts and merit;
- Display a demonstrated commitment to community-oriented policing and problem solving, staff development, and morale-building to set a positive tone within the Department;
- Possess a passion for public service and public safety as well as positive futures for all Akron residents; and
- Exhibit exceptional leadership and people skills; the ability to work with and establish relationships with a wide range of stakeholder groups, strategic partners, elected officials, colleagues, and the media.
Just three weeks after taking office, Mayor Malik released the first capital budget proposal of his term.
The $360.8 million plan outlined heavy investments in public safety, community center improvements, and ongoing sewer and water system projects, among others.
According to the mayor, the "fiscally responsible" proposal includes "the lowest amount of general obligation debt since 2018" while "also investing in the largest areas of need in our community." More than half of the allocated funds are coming from the state of Ohio, while the federal government also plays a role, including more than $34 million in still unused dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Malik made plans for improved policing and affordable housing, highlighting his successful mayoral campaign, although it is worth noting the capital budget will only deal with some of those issues. More of his proposals will likely be addressed in his separate operating budget proposal, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
