CENTRALIA — While its mayoral issues remain unresolved and its search for a city manager continues, the City of Centralia will now begin a search for a new police chief following the resignation of Police Chief Brian Atchison effective October 18.

According to a press release from City Manager Dan Ramey’s office, Atchison has been with the Centralia Police Department for 30 years and has served in positions of patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant. He was appointed police chief on October 1, 2016.

Atchison notes in his resignation letter, “I am grateful for the career opportunities that I have been given with the City of Centralia, while serving as a police officer with the Centralia Police Department. I was afforded the unique opportunity to hold each rank in the department, before being appointed Chief of Police.”

Atchison reported that after 30 years with the City’s Police Department that he feels like it is time to do something different. He has been offered and is accepting a position with Kaskaskia College in their Security Department.

Ramey says “Atchison has been a dedicated Chief of Police who has always wanted to do the right things and make the Police Department a better Department and make our City an even better place to live and raise a family with a safe environment.”

He says the Police Department consists of 24 Sworn Full Time officers including the Police Chief, 1 person in Police Records, 1 Police Secretary, as well as 6 Telecommunication “911” Officers that are under the supervision of the Chief of Police.

“Chief Atchison has worked diligently with me over the past 3 years as Police Chief and accomplished several things including increasing technology for the department including GPS tracking for squad vehicles, increased surveillance cameras throughout the City and body cameras for officers, as well as, new safer and improved body vests for officers and increased training for staff,” commented Ramey.

“His dedication and commitment to the Citizens of Centralia and to his staff will be missed and I believe the Mayor and City Council share my thoughts of wishing him the best at his new position he is undertaking and wish him a well-deserved retirement from the Centralia Police Department.”

Ramey asks anyone seeing Chief Atchison in the next several weeks to say “thank you” for his 30 years of service with Centralia Police Department.