Meet the New Mayfield Village Police Chief

It was a special day for Richard Edelman when he took the oath of office as police chief, made even more significant because it happened on June 6.

"June 6 (1944) – D-Day – is when the Americans led the Allies in a battle that was the beginning of the end of Hitler's reign," Edelman said. "My father was a Holocaust survivor. If that (D-Day) hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here today."

He added that it was nice to see friends and family at the village council meeting when Mayor Bruce Rinker introduced him as the new chief.

"I"m really looking forward to the challenges of this job and thank the mayor for this opportunity," Edelman said.

Edelman was working as a police officer at Cleveland State University when he first thought about coming to work for Mayfield Village.

"I had a friend of a friend who worked here and it seemed like a nice place to work," he said.

He started part time with Mayfield Village in 1986 and became a full-time officer in August 1990. He worked his way up the ranks, serving seven years as a detective before becoming a detective sergeant, then lieutenant and now chief.

"It's something within me. I have the desire to reach for higher goals," Edelman said.

That led to his idea for a bicycle unit that was started in 1991 with him as one of the bicycle officers.

"It was the first one in the Hillcrest area," he said.

As chief, it's now his job to set goals for the department as well.

"Any new chief puts safety as his top priority; it's a matter of how to accomplish that,"  Edelman said.

He recognizes that the public plays an important role in ensuring the safety of the community and encourages residents to call police without hesitation anytime they see something suspicious.

"We've asked people, 'Why didn't you call?' and they say they didn't want to bother us. I would rather have my officers respond to 100 calls where nothing happens than have something happen once and we aren't there," Edelman said.

When he's not working, family is very important to Edelman, who lives in Chesterland. He particularly enjoys spending time with his 2-year-old grandson.

"He's the light on my life," Edelman said. "Family keeps you grounded, too."

Through his daughter, a member of the Singing Angels, he's also spent his free time volunteering with that organization as stage manager and on the board of directors. Edelman, who sang in the men's chorus when he attended Heights High School, was treated to a Singing Angels performance as he took his oath of office.

"It was very touching. They're like my extended family," Edelman said.