CENTRALIA, IL — While its mayoral issues remain unresolved and the search for a city manager continues, the City of Centralia will now begin looking 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 the 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 he feels 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.”

The Police Department consists of 24 full-time officers including the Police Chief, 1 person in records, 1 Police Secretary, as well as 6 Telecommunication “911” Officers that are under the supervision of the Chief.

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.