Fisher sworn in as new Wooster Chief of Police
On June 20, Matt Fisher took the oath of office before friends, colleagues and family members gathered in city council chambers.
Before swearing Fisher into office, Wooster Mayor Bob Breneman paused to acknowledge the accomplishments of outgoing Chief of Police Steve Glick, who has served the city in that capacity for more than four years.
In December, Glick announced his intention to retire as chief this summer, after more than 32 years of distinguished service to the city, to accept an appointment as the College of Wooster’s new director of security and protective services.
“I would be really remiss if I didn’t take a moment…to say thank you,” said Breneman as the ceremony got under way.
“He has done an outstanding job,” said Breneman.
“Our sincere thanks for all you’ve done for the city,” said Breneman. “You’ve been admirable, my friend. We’ve had challenges along the way and you rose to each and every one of them.”
In the months since Glick announced his retirement, city officials have turned their attention to selecting his successor. In the course of that process six strong internal candidates expressed interest in the position.
In May, Breneman announced that Fisher would the one to lead the department into the future.
“We’re here to celebrate a changing of the guard,” said Breneman, before administering the oath of office to Fisher. “We welcome you and we know you’re going to do a great job for us.”
After placing his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Beth, and daughter, Alexis, Fisher swore to faithfully discharge his duties as chief, to obey the rules and regulations of the department and to enforce the laws of the city and state.
After watching his wife pin the chief’s badge to his pocket, and his daughter and his father, Don, pin the emblems of his office on the lapels of his uniform as his mother, Kay, looked on, Fisher addressed the audience.
“I’ve said this to people before - this is not Matt Fisher’s police department and it never will be. This police department belongs to the men and women of the organization that do their best to make it the best police agency - in my opinion - in the state,” said Fisher.
“Without those men and women on the road getting the job done every day I wouldn’t be standing here, so my hat’s off to them,” said Fisher, adding, “we’re going to accomplish good things.”
Fisher graduated from The College of Wooster in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics and completed The University of Akron Police Academy.
After working in the private sector for several years, Fisher joined the Wooster Police Department in August of 1998.
After beginning his career as a patrolman, Fisher became a K-9 handler in 2000, working alongside his K-9 partner, Ringo, from 2000-2007. He was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and became the K-9 unit supervisor the same year. In 2007, Fisher was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Fisher also served as a member of the Wooster Police Honor Guard from 1999-2004. He is a 2006 graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College and a 2007 graduate of Leadership Wooster.
Fisher has also received specialized training at the FBI National Academy in Virginia and Weapons of Mass Destruction Response training in Texas.
Fisher is currently working toward a master’s degree in criminal justice administration, a degree he hopes to complete in August of this year.
Published: June 22, 2011
