East Cleveland News

Mayor David E. Weiss announced today the appointment of Wayne D. Hudson as the next chief of police for the City of Shaker Heights. Hudson comes to Shaker from Douglas County, Nebraska, where he serves as Chief Deputy Sheriff. His appointment in Shaker takes effect on January 9, 2023.

“I am very pleased to announce Wayne Hudson’s appointment as police chief,” Weiss said. “He comes to Shaker Heights with a broad and impressive background in law enforcement, demonstrated commitment to community and inclusion, and strong interpersonal communication skills, all of which I view as critical for our next police chief. He will be leading a department of skilled and dedicated professionals with a solid leadership team in place.”

Hudson began his law enforcement career as a security police specialist in the United States Air Force, serving from 1986-1992.   He started his civilian law enforcement career in 1994 as a reserve deputy sheriff with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).  In 1995 he was hired into a full-time position with the agency, where he rose through the ranks to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and in 2013, Captain.  In 2021, he was appointed Chief Deputy.

Douglas is the most populous county in Nebraska with 584,500 residents. The county seat, Omaha, is the state's largest city, with a population of 487,000. (Figures are from the 2020 U.S. Census.)

Hudson’s leadership experience includes managing patrol deployment, emergency management, fiscal management, human resources, policy development, project management, strategic planning, employee development, public relations, community engagement, court security, building security, and school resources.

During his tenure with the DCSO, his assignments included uniform patrol, the County Court Division, District Court Division, Entrance Screening Division, Front Desk Division, Court Services Bureau, Administrative Services Bureau, Rapid Deployment Unit, and the Commission on the Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Division.

Hudson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wayne State College and a master’s degree in public administration from University of Nebraska at Omaha.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 234th session and various management and leadership schools.  He is a past president of the Metropolitan Chiefs Association.  His professional memberships include the National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives, where he is an alumnus of the Chief Executive Officer Mentoring Program; Black Police Officers Association of Omaha, where he was a board member; Women’s Center for Advancement, where he was a board member; and 100 Black Men of Omaha.  He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Hudson replaces retiring Police Chief Jeffrey DeMuth, an officer in the Shaker Heights Police Department for the last 33 years, the last six years as chief. He announced his retirement plans in June. 

“Chief DeMuth has served the residents of Shaker Heights with distinction and true commitment for more than three decades,” Weiss said. “He played a critical role in the creation of the joint dispatch center with four other communities as well as our bike patrol.  The chief also was a 10-year member of SWAT, 2011 Rotary Police Officer of The Year, a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College and the 226th Session of the FBI National Academy, and a member and leader of the Cuyahoga County Police Chief’s Association, just to name a few of his many achievements and recognitions. On his well-deserved retirement, we extend our appreciation for his progressive and forward-thinking approach to keeping our community safe. We wish him the best.”

The Shaker Heights Police Department is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency with 68 sworn officers, and 36 support and part-time personnel. The department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditations for Law Enforcement Agencies. Only approximately 4 percent of all law enforcement agencies in the United States are CALEA accredited.

Original source can be found here.