Edmonton's Police Chief Mike Boyd announced Tuesday he'll be stepping down from his post this December.
He says he wants to spend more time with his wife Margo and their ailing parents in Eastern Canada.
"Serving this great organization, and the citizens of Edmonton, has been one of the proudest accomplishments of my career," said Boyd. "My decision to leave was not easy," he added.
This summer, Boyd spent some time at home resting after he suffered a medical episode at police headquarters on June 16th. He was taken to hospital and released a couple of weeks after. The nature of his hospital stay was not disclosed.
Boyd says the medical scare had nothing to do with his decision to step down.
He says he wouldn't trade one moment of his career, and has enjoyed all the hard work.
"For me to be part of this organization is a dream come true, I'm living the dream as I go out the door," he said.
And while some officers saw Boyd as distant, the police association believes the chief made an amazing turnaround in morale.
"To his credit he took a lot of criticism," said Edmonton Police Association President Tony Simioni.
Mayor Stephen Mandel says Boyd will be missed in our city.
Boyd joined the Edmonton Police Service on January 1, 2006 with 35 years of policing behind him.
Boyd wraps up his last day on December 31st. The search for a new chief has already started. The Edmonton Police Commission says a national search will launch to find a replacement.
With files from David Ewasuk
