Massillon Police Chief Keith Moser slated to retire July 17

MASSILLON – Police Chief Keith Moser is calling it a career in Massillon after a 10-year run in the position.

His final day on the job is slated for July 17.

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Moser, 54, said Thursday that personal reasons are behind his decision to retire from the Police Department while appreciating his tenure with the city.

"It was a pleasure serving, and I enjoyed my time with the people here in the department," said Moser, who's spent 27 years donning a Massillon police uniform. "The time (to move on) is here."

Massillon Capt. Bill Peel is in line to serve as the city's interim police chief. A Civil Service exam will be scheduled down to road, which will help determine who will be the next full-time chief.

"I have confidence in Capt. Peel, and whoever's the next chief to keep the boat afloat," Moser said.

Although retiring from the Massillon police force, Moser said he will continue to work in the near future. He has an unspecified law enforcement position lined up with another entity in Stark County.

City Councilman Jamie Slutz, R-at large, is a retired Massillon officer and detective who worked with Moser for more than 20 years.

Moser was Slutz's field training officer when Slutz began with the department.

"He trained me to do the job," Slutz said Thursday. "The chief has done a great job and deserves his retirement. It was an honor to work with him over the years."

Barb Sylvester, Massillon's safety-service director, said Moser notified the city on June 29 about his intent to retire.

"He served as a very good chief for us," she said. "It's always tough when you lose people who are in a command position."

Retiring Massillon police chief is former U.S. Army Ranger

Moser is a graduate of Tuslaw High School. He served in the 3rd Ranger Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he completed U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne training.

Overall, the chief spent four years in the Army.

Moser earned an associate degree in criminal justice from the University of Akron and joined the city Police Department in May 1995, attaining the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain prior to becoming chief in June 2012.

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Moser's tenure as chief did not come without some controversy.

In June 2013, he was demoted to captain by Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, who then tapped Peel as interim chief.

Peel served as interim for a little more than three months. But Moser was reinstated after a successful Civil Service exam.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Police Chief Keith Moser retiring July 17