The City of University Place announced Friday that Sgt. Mike Blair had been selected as the new police chief.
Blair has been filling in as interim chief for the community of 31,000 people since the departure of former chief Rusty Wilder in January.
Blair’s first day as chief is Monday. He was named officer of the year at the sheriff’s office in 2010.
The city contracts with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for police services, and its chief is selected from internal candidates. Sheriff Paul Pastor made the selection Friday in consultation with University Place City Manager Steve Sugg.
The city had sought a larger pool of candidates and a bigger role in selecting its police chief this time around. Pastor agreed to expand the pool to includes sergeants; previously, it was limited to officers with ranks of lieutenant and above.
Blair will earn $164,000 a year in base salary.
Police chiefs in University Place typically serve a term of two years.
christian.hill@thenewstribune.com
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