Annapolis Gets New Police Chief

Mayor Jared Littmann of Annapolis has nominated Seat Pleasant Police Chief Demetrious T. Harris as the next chief of the Annapolis Police Department, the City announced Thursday.

If the City Council approves this nomination, Harris will take over a department that has had an acting chief since Chief Edward Jackson was removed in February. Harris would be in the job from Dec. 15 at an annual salary of $214k, according to the City.

The Mayor will be making the appointment resolution at the council meeting on Nov. 23, and the council is expected to vote on it on Dec. 14.

City Manager Yolanda L. Lewis also joined Littmann in the nomination."Chief Harris brings a very deep background in municipal and public safety leadership to Annapolis," said Littmann in the announcement. Lewis said she and the Mayor have "a very high degree of confidence in the selection of Chief Harris."

The candidate

Harris has 15 years' experience in law enforcement (according to the City). He's listed as Chief of Police for Seat Pleasant on the City's website.

In Seat Pleasant, he established a citizens advisory council, expanded his youth programs, and introduced wellness checks for older people. The City also launched a platform to track crime data.

Harris holds a B.A. from George Washington University, completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy leadership program, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. He is a credentialed manager with ICMA (the International City/County Management Association).

How he was chosen

A police chief search committee chaired by Anne Arundel County Sheriff Everett Sesker put together a slate of candidates, the City said. Comments from community meetings informed the search. The City did not say how many applications were received or who the other finalists were.

A department under acting leadership

Jackson, who had led the department since August 2019, was removed on Feb. 2 on the grounds of 'differing approaches to management' and replaced with Capt—Amy Miguez, who joined the department as a dispatcher in 2020.

Once Harris is sworn in, Miguez will be promoted to Major and will be serving alongside Maj. Stanley Brandford. The Arundel Post has not yet contacted Harris for comment.