North Canton Police Chief Stephan Wilder approaches the job each day with three main goals in mind.
“I want to do something good for our community. I want to do something good for our employees. And I want to do something good for myself,” he said Wednesday.
It turns out, he added, that doing the first two take care of doing something good for himself.
Wilder, 66, shared his work philosophy — one that he adapted from the Boy Scouts of America — as he reflected on his lengthy law enforcement career that comes to a close Friday, when he will retire.
Wilder has worked for North Canton police for more than 35 years, having started with the department as a nonpaid auxiliary officer in 1981.
He rose through the ranks and has spent the last six years as chief — a position he described as a dream.
“It’s been a good ride,” said Wilder, a graduate of Glenwood High School who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and justice administration from Kent State University and Tiffin University, respectively. “I’m very proud of what I’ve done.”
Asked to name some highlights from his career, he cited everything from giving elementary students rides to school in a police cruiser to improving training for officers to upgrading equipment.
“There are so many highlights,” he said. “We could probably talk for a day.”
He also is proud that the Stark County city, home to more than 17,000 people, is a safe community.
“The bottom line is that you don’t come to North Canton to commit your crimes,” he said. “We’re going to find you. We’re going to arrest you.”
Doug Lane, executive director of the North Canton Area Chamber of Commerce, where Wilder serves as a liaison with the city, said his contribution to the community goes well beyond just safety.
“The way he approaches law enforcement has really gone a long way to maintaining a good relationship between the citizens and our safety forces,” Lane said.
Mayor David Held, who appointed Wilder to the chief’s position, called him a man of integrity.
“He has always went above and beyond the police work,” he said. “He has a heart to serve other people and also keep them safe.”
Wilder, who lives in North Canton with his wife, Mary, will remain active in retirement. He plans to continue to help with the chamber and remain as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. He became an Eagle Scout in 1967.
“He’s going to be very much part of our community,” Lane said. “He just won’t be wearing a badge.”
Wilder also expects to do some traveling and get back into long-distance biking and swimming. He’s completed more than 35 marathons.
A retirement open house is planned for noon to 3 p.m. Friday at the North Canton Civic Center at 845 W. Maple St.
Lt. John R. Minock, a 28-year veteran with the department, will serve as the interim chief while the city goes through the civil service process to select its next police leader from within the department. The mayor said he wants the next chief to be focused on service, as well as safety.
The police chief oversees a nearly $3.5 million annual budget that includes 48 officers, dispatchers and school crossing guards.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .