For Wayne Livesay, naming his greatest achievement over his eight years as Howard County Police Chief was simple: “Technology.”
Livesay, 54, who will retire May31 after eight years as head of the county police and 34 years in the Howard County Police Department, is entering the political arena by entering the race for the Howard County Council District 5 seat.
Like no chief before him, Livesay said he has advanced the technological capabilities of the department.
“If you look at other agencies, we?re much more advanced,” he said in an interview Monday.
Under his direction:
» Every police car is equipped with a laptop computer.
» A department Web site was created and expanded.
» Red-light cameras and one speed camera, which is used to issue warning notices in school zones, were put into use.
» A Global Positioning System was implemented to pinpoint officers? locations.
Livesay said his biggest challenge was dealing with members of the media.
The competition among several daily and weekly newspapers, along with television and radio stations, is intense in Howard County, Livesay said, adding that he beefed up the department?s Public Information Office to meet the demand.
“You all fight to be the first to break the story,” he said.
Even as he looks back on his accomplishments, Livesay said he still has some unfinished work left in the police department.
Livesay said he hopes the next police chief will require all officers to have four-year college degrees and create an office to deal with the issues faced by senior citizens.
Livesay said leaving the job has caused him “terrible withdrawal.”
“I?m an emotional wreck, if you want to know the truth,” he said.
“I?ve been here since I?ve been 20 years old.”
Editor?s note
This is the first in a three-day series on the tenure of Wayne Livesay, Howard County?s longest-serving police chief. OnThursday, The Examiner will look at Livesay?s battle against crime in persistently problematic areas in Columbia.
