Longtime Delta Police Chief Jim Cessford has announced he will retire early next year, after two decades at the helm in Delta.
Cessford, who joined the Delta Police department in 1995, said after discussing the matter with his family, decided it's a good time to move on.
"The department is in a good place right now and we have an outstanding team ready to take on the challenge of leading the organization into the future," he said, adding Delta is one of the safest communities in Canada.
Cessford began his career in Alberta, where he served with the Edmonton Police Service for 27 years in various roles, including hostage negotiator and major crimes investigator.
He received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, the Order of Merit for Police Services in 2010 and was named Delta's Citizen of the Year in 2009.
Mayor Lois Jackson, who is also chair of the Police Board, said there will be big shoes to fill with Cessford's departure in early 2015.
"Delta Police has a reputation second to none across Canada, and we plan on keeping that status," Jackson said.