Assistant police chief stepping down after 31 years with SPD

SEATTLE -- Assistant Seattle Police Chief Clark Kimerer announced Tuesday he is going to retire from the police department, effective June 30.

"My last day on the job will be hard on the heels of my 59th birthday, and I will have completed 31 years of service in the Seattle Police Department," Kimerer said.



"I want to thank Chief Harry Bailey for taking the mantle of what must be the most difficult job ever conceived of, and – like all the chiefs I have worked for – he has my loyalty and support.  Chief Bailey has asked me to focus between now and my retirement upon several projects critical to the future of SPD, including the Department’s 2014-15 budgets, and other priorities he identifies as we prepare the Department for the transition to a new Chief of Police.

"I look forward to continuing to contribute to the Department, and to protect and serve the citizens of Seattle.  This devotion is based upon the simple truth that my heart abides in the role I started with 31 years ago:  In a third watch patrol car in George Sector, listening closely for the next call," Kimerer said.

Bailey said, "I want to be one of the first to say that Assistant Chief Kimerer has served this Department and the people of Seattle with distinction, and his career is marked by contributions to public safety in Seattle which will last far beyond his years on the job ... I want to thank Assistant Chief Kimerer for his years of distinguished service, and look forward to working with him over the next 5 months leading up to his well-deserved retirement."