Captain Joseph Bobak has been named the ninth police chief of the city.
The announcement came from the Parma Police Department and City of Parma. Bobak will replace current Chief of Police Robert Miller, who plans to retire later this year.
Parma said Bobak was selected on Jan. 8 after an intense interview process led by a panel including Mayor Tim DeGeeter, Safety Director Michael O'Malley, and Strongsville Police Chief James Kobak.
“We are more than pleased with the selection of Captain Bobak as our new chief, and we look forward to moving our city forward together,” DeGeeter said. “I want to thank Chief Miller publicly for his great service to the city, and I extend thanks as well to the other applicants who interviewed for the chief position and for their leadership within the department.”
Miller is said to have called Bobak 'a confident leader who understands the delicate relationship between supervision and keeping officers motivated.' He also said Bobak is well-liked by his officers.
Bobak has served with Parma Police for 25 years. He is currently the department's executive officer and commander of the detective bureau, where he oversees the handling of criminal investigations in all three units of the bureau.
Parma said Bobak was instrumental in starting the department's Crime Scene Unit. He also serves as the commander of the SWAT team and the police firearms range.
“I’d like to thank Mayor DeGeeter and Safety Director O’Malley for this opportunity,” Bobak said. “I am looking forward to working together with city officials, residents and businesses in the immediate and long-term future for the betterment of Parma.”
Bobak received a bachelor's degree in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University.
He graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety-School of Police Staff and Command in 2008. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2011. In 2014, he completed the Police Executive Management Program at Northwestern University.
