Retirement Announced By Howard County Police Chief Lisa Myers

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — After three years at the helm, Howard County Police Chief Lisa Myers will retire effective Nov. 30. She was appointed chief in February 2019 and since that time, Howard County has seen decreases in aggravated assaults, robberies, human trafficking, burglaries and auto theft.

A 31-year veteran of the Howard County Police Department, Myers first retired from the agency as a captain in 2018 but returned the following year to take on the role as chief. She became the first African-American and the first woman appointed chief of police in Howard County, and one of the first in the state.

“Chief Myers has led our police department for a transformative three years and has gone above beyond to keep our community safe and ensure our residents feel safe,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Her commitment to community policing and efforts to bring more transparency to our police force has reinforced our department’s reputation as one of the best in the nation. We will certainly miss her and her leadership but wish chief the best in her retirement.”

Between 2017 and September 2021, Howard County has seen significant crime reductions across categories, including:

• A 62 percent decrease in robbery
• A 51 percent decrease in aggravated assault
• A 71 percent decrease in burglary
• A 29 percent decrease in auto theft

“We have seen a decrease in most major crime categories over the last few years,” Myers said. “I have felt fortunate to lead an agency so committed to safety, integrity, equity and a sense of security for all of the people we serve in Howard County. Nothing has made me more proud over the last three decades than being a part of this organization and I know we have set a path for continued great success.”

Myers also maintained the department's national “Advanced Meritorious” accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and achieved first-time national accreditation for the HCPD crime lab.