Akron Reporter

Akron, Ohio — On September 12, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett jointly announced Mylett’s retirement from policing and departure from the Akron Police Department, effective January 1, 2024. After a national search and public engagement process, Mylett joined the Department in August of 2021. As Chief of the Akron Police Department, Mylett commands the Department’s 454 officers and supervisors, 51 Reserve officers, and 96 civilians (including dispatch personnel) that serve Akron’s nearly 200,000 citizens.

Steve Mylett grew up on Long Island, New York and served in the Air Force before starting his law enforcement career in 1989 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He steadily moved up the ranks in that Department before becoming Assistant Chief of Police in 2011.  He was then hired by the City of Southlake, Texas to serve as Chief of Police where he served until 2015.  From 2015 until he started with Akron, he served as the Chief of the Bellevue, Washington Police Department.  He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University in Texas and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University.

In January, Mylett will be taking on a position in the private sector as well as looking forward to spending more time with family and traveling.  

“I want to thank Chief Mylett for his outstanding, dedicated service to our community through a very trying time,” said Mayor Horrigan. “I know Steve to be a man of honor with the utmost care for the communities he has served. Akron was lucky to have him at the helm, and I am grateful to have had him by my side through the last two years. I wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.”

“It is with great difficulty that I make this decision to step away, but I do think the time is right based on many different factors,” said Chief Mylett. “I am proud to end my 35 years in policing in Akron. I want to thank Mayor Horrigan for the privileged opportunity to lead the men and women of the Akron Police Department. I also want to thank the APD employees for welcoming me into the Department and for the exceptional work they do every day – I am proud to be called a member of this agency. Additionally, I want to thank the Akron community for embracing my family and I as we settled in this beautiful city.

“This past year has been very difficult for many, many people, and the road ahead to regain what was lost will be no easy feat. However, I hold tremendous optimism for the future of this city, and I know everyone in this city wants a safe and secure Akron in order to raise our families and to live in peace. Together, we can achieve our vision.”

Mayor Horrigan plans to work with the presumptive Mayor’s transition team regarding a search for the next police chief. The next Mayor will have the opportunity to lead a search and select the next head of the Akron Police Department.  

Original source can be found here.