Dayton Police Dept. names new assistant chief

Maj. Mark Ecton has been appointed assistant chief of the Dayton Police Department and will start his new role Aug. 17, the city said in a prepared statement released late Wednesday afternoon.

Ecton replaces Col. Robert Chabali, who retired earlier this year after serving more than 35 years.

Ecton, a lifelong resident of Dayton, is a 29-year veteran of the police department, joining in September 1987. He began his career as a patrol officer in the West Patrol Operations Division, serving in the same neighborhood where he went to school and grew up.

Since 2002, he has held the rank of major and served as superintendent of the Professional Standards Division and the Administrative Services Division.

In 2011 he was appointed chief of staff, where he currently manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Chief of Police.

“The assistant police chief’s role is clear — to maintain law and order, provide exceptional service and sustain community confidence in our police force,” Chief Richard Biehl said in a prepared statement.

“Not only has Mark fulfilled that role throughout his 29-year career, he has earned the respect of the public and his fellow officers. I appreciate his almost three decades of dedicated service to the Dayton Police Department and Dayton community and look forward to his continued success in his new assignment,” Biehl said.

Ecton holds a bachelor of science degree from Wilberforce University, an associate degree in criminal justice from Sinclair Community College, and is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College. He also serves on numerous boards and advisory councils.