5 things to know about Fairfield’s new police chief

Police Lt. Steve Maynard will take over as police chief for the Fairfield Police Department on Feb. 26.

He emerged out of nine candidates for the job that applied after Chief Mike Dickey announced his retirement last October.

Here are some things to know about Fairfield’s police chief:

1. Hired the SAME DAY as the outgoing chief

Maynard was hired on June 21, 1999, the same day Dickey was hired as police chief. He served four years as a patrol officer before being assigned as a detective in June 2003.

2. Rising through the ranks

Maynard spent four years as a detective with the Fairfield Police Department.

He led undercover sting operations to target perpetrators of vice crimes, conducted background investigations and interviewed potential job candidates, assisted with special investigations and crime prevention programs and spoke with community groups about various topics, including drug addiction.

He was promoted to sergeant in August 2008, and he worked on crime prevention strategies, worked with the community, supervised the city’s K-9 program, managed the department’s fleet and investigated allegations of police misconduct.

3. Current position

Maynard has been a police lieutenant since April 2015 and is in charge of the police department’s operations division. Among other things, he was in charge of implementing and administering departmental polices and procedures, the department’s budget, equipment purchases and developing training programs.

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4. Education background

Maynard earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice in July 2016 from Ashland University and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

He also graduated from two prestigious police academies. Maynard graduated July 2011 from the Northwestern Center for Public Safety’s school of police staffing and command. He then graduated in September 2016 from the FBI National Academy.

5. Skills and certifications 

Maynard is a SWAT Team commander and fire arms instructor, but in 2014 was awarded the Police Medal for bravery and exceptional leadership in a dangerous tactical situation.

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