PARMA, Ohio -- After serving 34 years with the Parma police department, Police Chief James I. Blair announced he will be retiring in January.

Parma yesterday (Nov. 19) named Deputy Police Chief Kevin Riley as the next chief.

In a related move, Capt. Thomas Siedlecki was named the new deputy chief.

The Parma police chief position isn’t filled through a written test but instead a three-person panel -- this time including Safety Director Bob Coury, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and Strongsville Police Chief Thomas O’Deens -- with eligible candidates including the deputy chief and all captains.

“Candidates were evaluated on leadership, decision-making, departmental experience, interpersonal skills and education,” Coury said.

With more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, Riley has comm

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