Akron mayor introduces police chief finalist at town hall

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - Akron Mayor Shammas Malik introduced his police chief finalist Saturday at a town hall.

The town hall was held at Buchtel CLC at 10 a.m.

Mayor Malik’s finalist is Deputy Chief Brian Harding, who is currently Acting Chief in Akron.

“What we can continue to do is to have open dialogue with officers,” said Acting Chief Harding. “I think our diversity, equity, inclusion conversations around procedural justice, around respecting each other and the differences that we all have.”

Acting Chief Harding focused his message on the importance of communication between the Akron police force and the community.

There will be another town hall Tuesday, 6 p.m. at East CLC.