Frederick has a new permanent police chief, and he's not new to the job at all. Mayor Michael O'Connor announced Wednesday that Kevin Meyer, a 19-year veteran of the Frederick Police Department who has been running the agency on an interim basis since late last year, will take the helm immediately after beating out more than 30 applicants from across the country.
A Nationwide Search Lands on an Internal Pick
The city celebrated the announcement at Frederick City Hall, capping a search that began in March and pulled in candidates from around the nation before narrowing to three finalists, according to 930 WFMD. Mayor O'Connor said the city set out to find the most qualified candidate for the role, and that the final decision came after consultation with city council members, as reported by DC News Now. He praised Meyer's professionalism and commitment to public safety in making the appointment. The search relied on a community-led search committee and a public survey that ran through mid-April, gathering resident input on what qualities Frederick wanted in its next top cop, per the City of Frederick.
Meyer is a lifelong Frederick County resident and Urbana High School graduate who holds degrees in criminal justice and business administration. He completed Leadership Frederick County in 2025 and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the report notes he is currently pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice leadership. During his time as an officer, Meyer was involved with the Fraternal Order of Police and engaged with community partners, according to DC News Now.
Filling a Vacancy Left by a Turbulent Departure
Meyer's rise to permanent chief closes out a leadership transition that began when former Chief Jason Lando left Frederick to lead the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Meyer was appointed acting police chief on November 25, 2025, and took official interim command on December 6, 2025, after Lando's exit, per the City of Frederick. Lando's resignation coincided with a Maryland state investigation into anonymous harassing text messages sent to a former corporal, though state prosecutors ultimately closed the case without finding any criminal violations, as TribLIVE reported. Lando had stated the complaints were retaliatory, coming after he moved to discipline the officer over an excessive force matter — a saga Hoodline covered as it unfolded.
That messy exit left Mayor O'Connor needing to steady both the department and the public, and Meyer's nine months in the interim seat gave him a chance to show he could do it. He reported to the Frederick County Human Relations Commission in January that local opiate overdoses had dropped to historic lows, even as burglaries and robberies ticked upward alongside new residential construction. Meyer told DC News Now that Frederick has taken on upwards of 17,000 new residents over the past five years, and that the growth shows no signs of slowing down.
Drones, a New Headquarters, and a Bigger Budget
Meyer didn't just hold the department steady during his interim run — he pushed it forward. Under his leadership, Frederick police moved to deploy a Drone as First Responder program, sending automated aerial support to emergency scenes ahead of arriving patrol units, an effort detailed in county testimony. The department has used FAA-certified drone operators for accident reconstruction and search operations since 2016, giving the new initiative a head start.
He also inherits a department flush with new resources. Frederick police moved into a new 65,000-square-foot headquarters in June 2025, leaving behind a courthouse complex that had been built for a force half its current size. The city's adopted Fiscal Year 2027 budget allocated $54.6 million to the police department out of a $182 million general fund, a jump from $48.8 million the year before, according to city budget records. Entry-level officers now start at a base salary of $71,351 with guaranteed 4.5% annual step increases through year 13, part of a push to compete for recruits.
Frederick is Maryland's second-largest city behind Baltimore, with a population topping 80,000 served by roughly 146 sworn officers and 50 civilian staff. That's the department Meyer now leads permanently, a role that comes as the city continues to navigate the growing pains — and public safety demands — of a population that has expanded by nearly 40% since 2000.
