Council approves Yamada as police chief

by Judith Hruz

Editor

The County Council approved Marc Yamada as the new Montgomery County chief of police during.

His appointment to the top spot of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) was accepted without discussion on June 18.

The council had conducted the formal interview with Yamada on June 11.

County Executive Marc Elrich nominated Yamada, a veterans of the county police force, to fill the position being left vacant by the retirement of Chief Marcus Jones, who stepped down on June 30.

Yamada took his oath of office July 1.

“I am excited and humbled to have been selected to take on this important position,” Yamada said in a statement after the council’s appointment. “To have a chance to make a significant impact on the people and communities where I grow up is a dream come true. I want the people of Montgomery County to know that I will do my best to make this department the best it can be for those who live, work or visit here. I look forward to strengthening MCPD’s partnership with community members, businesses and others. The more we work together, the safer Montgomery County will be.”

Elrich said Yamada has been a steadfast advocate of modernizing the police force, fostering community trust, ensuring that officers have the resources and training they need, and closing the MCPD staffing deficit.

“I appreciate the County Council’s unanimous vote to confirm Marc Yamada as our next chief of the Montgomery County Police Department,” said Elrich. “Marc is the right person to lead the department, and I look forward to working closely with him to build upon the efforts already underway to enhance MCPD. Together, we will address key issues, including closing our staffing deficit. His deep knowledge of the department, the County, and our residents will enable him to hit the ground running. I look forward to working with him to keep our community safe.”

Yamada has been with the county police department for 35 years, serving as an assistant chief for the past three years. Before that, his duties include overseeing the Field Services Bureau and serving as 4^th District commander, captain of the Community Engagement Division and as a duty commander.

He has lived in Montgomery County his entire life and resides in Brookeville with his wife of 32 years. He is father to four children and his oldest son is a seven-year member of MCPD.

Yamada is well known in the greater Olney community and around the county.

“He knows the importance of building strong relations in the community,” Elrich said during his May 23 media briefing, the day he announced his nomination.

Elrich said Yamada’s skills, and a police force full of potential candidates who could lead the department, is why he felt comfortable choosing from within the county rather than expanding to a national search.