HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — The township’s administration building was packed to capacity as residents welcomed their new police chief, who is officially on the job as of today.

Brenda Freeman was sworn in Monday, completing a months-long search that kicked off in late February and involved 11 applicants, with 10 of them being local and two being internal candidates. Four were advanced for in-person interviews, and from there, two made it to the final interview.

Freeman thanked everyone in attendance, emphasizing how much the promotion to chief meant to her, deeming it a “longtime dream come true.”

“Ever since I was a little girl, this was what I wanted to do, and I’m here now,” Freeman said. “There’s only 13% of females that make up law enforcement; and of that, only 2% become chiefs of police. I pray that that number gets higher.”

“I hope that I am the role model that women and girls growing up have someone to look up to, that you can be anything you want to be,” she added. “Do not dim your light — know your worth, work hard, and you can be anyone you want to be.”

Freeman said she looks forward to working with the township, a team that she started with 13 years ago, 10 of which as a full-time officer. She transitioned to the city’s police department in 2020, where she progressed to sergeant in May 2024.

Trustee Jason Tedrow spoke to residents before Freeman’s swearing-in, deeming it a “big day” for the township, which experienced a lot of uncertainty over the past five years.

“I know myself and Trustee (Monica) Baker spent a lot of time going over some of the people’s resumes, their experiences, stuff like that,” Tedrow said. “It was critical for us to find somebody that would create some stability in our community again — not just for the police department, but for the residents as well.”

Officials allowed acting Chief Michael Orr to handle giving the oath, with Tedrow explaining it was important for the officers to build camaraderie and the trustees could be different in two years.

“It’s nice Brenda is the first female chief in Hubbard Township, but I don’t want that to take away from the credentials that got her here, and that’s actually why she’s standing here today,” Tedrow added.

Orr, who was promoted to sergeant in October after being reinstated in March of 2024 following firings for alleged misconduct, deemed swearing Freeman in to be a “full circle” moment.

“For me to come back into the police department that once tried to get rid of me, I’m very happy about that, it’s full circle. To finally get recognized for my abilities, my talents and my hard work; I’ve got my integrity intact, I have nothing to be sorry for,” Orr said. “To come back and be in a position I’m in and to swear in my partner that we’ve been together since 2007 — it’s phenomenal.”

Orr praised Freeman’s decision-making and knowledge of the law, expressing his “full faith.”

“She’s energetic about making things better at the police department, so I feel very confident in her abilities,” Orr said. “We’re gonna make a difference, and we’re gonna move this place forward.”

And that energy is what people like Trustee Monica Baker recognize.

“Chief Freeman brings a tremendous amount of experience and training; we’re looking forward to the positive influence she will have on our police department,” Baker said.

Orr said her promotion was a “lot of years coming”, recalling their time under retired police Chief Todd Coonce and their hopes of taking over what he started.

“Being under the leadership of Chief Coonce, he fostered us through the good times and the bad times, and she and I both knew at some point we would be standing here today,” Orr said. “Our deal was, no matter who sat in the seat, that the other one would be right next to the other one, and we’ll be pushing forward.”