What's Happening in Westlake, OH…

The North Olmsted City Council recently appointed Bob Wagner to the post of the city's Chief of Police.

Wagner, who commands the Detective Bureau, takes over the position from Jamie Gallagher, who recently retired, according to an article on Cleveland.com.

Mayor Kevin Kennedy said that the test for chief was competitive and open, meaning the appointee could have come from outside the department, as well as someone who was already serving in North Olmsted. As it turned out, Wagner was deemed the best candidate; Kennedy calls him the “right man for the job,” says he has outstanding leadership skills, noting that the city is excited by his rise to the top spot in the department. The open slot of police chief drew 18 applicants.

Kennedy said the testing was extensive, and if Wagner had not become chief in North Olmsted, he would probably have taken over a department elsewhere.

Wagner, a 20-year veteran of the force, believes his knowledge of the North Olmsted department was an asset to him during the tests and interviews. He says he has always tried to do his best as he rose through the ranks, adapting to the different responsibilities that came with each new position.

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