January 8, 2019

Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Sherry Llewellyn, Director of Public Affairs, Howard County Police Department, 410-313-2236

ELLICOTT CITY – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball named Lisa Myers, a retired Howard County Police Department Captain, as the department’s new Chief at a press conference today in the Columbia/Ellicott Rooms at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City. Myers had previously retired in January of 2018 as the Commander of the Human Resources Bureau, overseeing Employment Services and the Education and Training Division. Myers will become the Howard County Police Chief effective February 1. To view this announcement, please click here. To access or download photos from this announcement, please click here.

“I am selecting a 27-year veteran of the Howard County Police Department, a law enforcement professional committed to community policing and making all of our communities safe,” said County Executive Ball. “Lisa treats everyone in our community with respect, dignity, transparency, a consistent willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ to be helpful and a constant vigilance to keep us all safe. Our police department is one of the best in the nation and the reputation of this county being one of the safest communities in the nation is attracting families and businesses to move here as much as our top-ranked school system. Lisa Myers will continue this success.”

“I have dedicated my career to the Howard County Police Department and I look forward to leading the agency with transparency and accountability,” said incoming Chief Myers.

Myers began her career in 1990 as a civilian Crime Laboratory Technician. She entered the police academy in 1994 and worked within various components of the Police Department, including as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Division Watch Commander, Supervisor of Youth Services and Public Information Officer. She is an exceptional communicator with notable success in management of operations focused on lowering crime and building community partnerships. Myers has represented the Police Department in labor management negotiations and on multiple boards to include the Police Foundation, Citizens Advisory Council, African American Community Roundtable, and Police and Business Professionals Partnership.

“I had the opportunity to work with Lisa Myers in several assignments throughout her career and believe she is a great choice to lead the police department,” said Police Chief Gary Gardner. “As I retire, I am glad to leave the agency in capable hands and know she will continue to build upon the police department’s history of excellence.”

“The members of the Howard County Police Officers’ Association applaud Dr. Ball’s decision to appoint Lisa Myers as Howard County’s 13th Chief of Police,” said Christopher Davis, President, Howard County Police Officers’ Association. “Chief Myers is a great friend who has worked alongside many of our members throughout her career. She is a principled, proven, and highly-respected leader. She brings with her a tremendous intellect, a compassionate spirit, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of all who live or work in Howard County. Law Enforcement agencies throughout our country are facing critical challenges. Staffing issues, morale problems, and cumulative stress are all having a negative impact on our nation’s guardians. We are confident that Chief Myers will be able to meet these challenges with the same kind of tenacity and common sense that she has displayed throughout her long career.”

“We are very pleased with Howard County Executive Ball’s choice for Chief of Police,” said Sgt. James Capone, President- Howard County Police Supervisors Alliance, FOP Lodge 143. “Chief Lisa Myers is a proven leader who has earned the respect and admiration of the community and the men and women of the Howard County Police Supervisors Alliance. With over two decades of police experience, Chief Myers understands the challenges that law enforcement faces today. Her authentic leadership style recognizes that new ideas and different perspectives must be considered to address the needs of our community and those that wear the uniform in the 21st century.”

"The appointment of Lisa Myers shows how far Howard County and the Police Department in particular have come over the years,” said Herman Charity, first African American officer in the Howard County Police Department. “I’ve watched Lisa grow during the course of her career and I’m confident she will do an outstanding job." 

“I’m excited about Lisa Myers’ appointment to lead the Howard County Police Department,” said Howard County Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby (D-District 3). “She brings a diversity of experience and an eye toward moving the county’s Police Department forward. She is exactly the type of leader we need in our community – one who works collaboratively with officers and residents to strengthen safety and trust in Howard County.”

“I am ecstatic about the selection of Lisa Myers as the first woman and African American to lead the Howard County Police Department; representation and diversity matter,” said Council Vice Chair Opel Jones (D-District 2). “In addition, and equally important, Chief Myers is extremely qualified and well respected by her colleagues. I believe we are one of the only jurisdictions in the United States of America with women leading both our police and fire and rescue departments; absolutely amazing!”

“I’m thrilled to be part of this next era of Howard County government. What good we all will do, together,” said Councilmember Liz Walsh (D-District 1). 

“I am excited about the new women leaders in the County and am proud to be standing amongst them,” said Councilmember Deb Jung (D-District 4). “This is a new chapter in the history of Howard County and I am grateful that County Executive Ball chose a well-qualified woman to be our next police chief.”

BIO OF INCOMING CHIEF MYERS: 

Lisa D. Myers is a 27-year veteran of the Howard County Police Department. She retired in January 2018 as the Commander of the Human Resources Bureau, overseeing Employment Services and the Education and Training Division.

Myers began her career in 1990 as a civilian Crime Laboratory Technician.  She entered the police academy in 1994 and worked within various components of the Police Department, including as the Chief of Staff, Patrol Division Watch Commander, Supervisor of Youth Services and Public Information Officer.  She is an exceptional communicator with notable success in management of operations focused on lowering crime and building community partnerships.

Myers has represented the Police Department in labor management negotiations and on multiple boards to include the Police Foundation, Citizens Advisory Council, African American Community Roundtable, and Police and Business Professionals Partnership.

Myers holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Coppin State University in Criminal Justice and is a member of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

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