BROOKINGS – Jeff Miller has resigned as Brookings police chief, and the city is looking into the process of hiring his replacement.

“Chief Miller has submitted his voluntary resignation effective Aug. 11, 2017, to pursue retirement and other interests and opportunities,” wrote City Manager Jeff Weldon in an e-mail to the Register. “We want to thank him for his 32 years of service to the City of Brookings and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Miller started with the Brookings Police Department in 1976 and worked for the SDSU Police Department and the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office before that. He was promoted to police chief in 2009.

Miller said he appreciated all the years of support from the public and enjoyed serving as chief.

“I’ll miss it, and there’s parts I won’t miss,” said Miller, 62, citing the toll a job in law enforcement can take.

Miller said he has no specific plans for retirement and wants “to take it easy for a while” before pursuing something part time. He said he had been contemplating retiring next year but made the decision to resign after taking time off last week.

The department will continue to operate as usual, Weldon said.

“I have appointed Asst. Chief Dave Erickson as Acting Chief in the interim,” Weldon said.

As to the long-term future of the position, Weldon will have some research to do.

“I will need to visit further with the Mayor and City Council about specific plans for permanently filling the position,” Weldon said.