City of Reading Welcomes New Police Chief/Public Safety Director Mark Hodshire
The City of Reading is pleased to announce the hiring of Mark Hodshire as the new Chief of Police/Public Safety Director. Chief Hodshire officially began his duties on October 6, 2025, and has already been working diligently to get to know the community, city staff, and local organizations.
Chief Hodshire brings a strong background in law enforcement and a deep commitment to community engagement. Since his first day, he has made it a priority to connect with residents, business owners, and local leaders—attending community events, meeting citizens throughout the city, and building relationships that strengthen trust and collaboration.
“We are excited to have Chief Hodshire leading our Police Department,” Mayor Chad Penney “His proactive approach, leadership experience, and dedication to building positive relationships align perfectly with our city’s values and goals.”
Chief Hodshire has also begun developing strong partnerships with the Reading Community Schools, visiting with students and staff, and fostering a positive connection between the Police Department and the youth of our community. Chief Hodshire shared:
“It was always my goal to become and eventually retire as Chief of Police. I’m grateful to have been chosen to serve the City and residents of Reading. While I have worked with several great teams throughout my 29-year career, and spent almost the last 10 years at Napoleon Township, I felt I needed to utilize my training, experience, and education to challenge myself in a new environment and position.
Continuing to build a trusting relationship between the residents, community, schools, and city officials is very important to me. I have an open-door policy and I’m very easygoing and approachable and enjoy engaging with the city’s population. I want to ensure that the citizens of Reading remain safe and our employees of the Reading Police Department are highly trained, professional, and ethical in all policing endeavors. My ongoing plans, which are already being instituted, are to look at where we are internally and to make changes for the benefit of the city if and when needed.
Lastly, the most important and highly vulnerable population in this, and in any other city to me, is the young adults and children. It’s paramount that their health, security, and safety be of the utmost importance. To think, for six to eight hours a day, five days a week, a majority of the city’s population is housed in two buildings. I want our department personnel to be visible and easily approachable by students, staff, and faculty alike. I truly enjoy being back in a community I’m very familiar with and look forward to serving the residents with truthfulness, honesty, and transparency.”
The City encourages residents to stop by City Hall or say hello if they see Chief Hodshire out and about. His door is always open, and he looks forward to working alongside citizens and city staff to support a strong, safe, and connected Reading.