Howard County Executive Jim Robey announced Wednesday that he is appointing Maj. William McMahon to serve as acting chief of police.
McMahon, who begins the job today, is replacing Wayne Livesay, the department?s longest-serving chief, who retired to run for the Howard County Council?s District 5 seat.
McMahon, 42, of Ellicott City, is a 20-year veteran of the department and most recently served as the deputy chief of operations, where he was responsible for emergency preparedness, intelligence, patrol, special operations and criminal investigations.
Under his command, which included more than 380 members of the department, the agency has handled preparation and response for large-scale events such as Hurricane Isabel and the Washington-area sniper case.
“I have every confidence that Bill McMahon has the ability and experience to step into the position of police chief and serve any administration in that capacity,” Robey said in a statement.
“He has shown his commitment and dedication to our police service for 20 years, and his rise within the department to the rank of major is evidence of his knowledge and skills. Bill has served before as acting chief during Chief Livesay?s absences, and I know he will provide the type of continuity that I feel is critical to the department?s operation.”
McMahon said he was “honored” by his appointment.
“My first priority is to the people I serve and the second to the men and women with whom I serve,” he said.
McMahon was named the department?s Officer of the Year in 1988. He has a bachelor?s degree in law enforcement from the University of Maryland and a master?s degree in administrative science from Johns Hopkins University.
