GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids Police Chief David Rahinsky will announce his retirement Thursday, Dec. 6, after more than four years of leading the city's police department.

Rahinsky, who took the reins of the department in July 2014, plans to resign as Grand Rapids' top law enforcement officer and retire to move closer to his family who live out of state, according to a statement released by City Manager Mark Washington late Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 5.

The chief's last day in office will be Tuesday, Dec. 18.

"I want to thank the chief for all he has done for our community and our police department since becoming Grand Rapids' top law enforcement official in 2014," Washington said in a statement.

"Working closely with community stakeholders, police personnel, city leadership and the city commission, the chief has made our police department a model for other law enforcement agencies across the country."

The city plans to work with a national search firm in its search for its next police chief. The search process will include engagement with residents, police officers, the business community, and other stakeholders.

Washington said he'll outline the search plan in a "couple of weeks." In the meantime, he's expected to announce an interim police chief in the coming days.

Rahinsky and Washington are scheduled to hold a press conference to field questions Thursday morning.

Wednesday's announcement comes two days after the Grand Rapids Police Department released its expanded youth-interaction policy, and as the department is set to undergo an independent staffing and deployment study.

Under Rahinsky's leadership, the police department adopted body-worn cameras and earned its first Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation. He oversaw the implementation of a bias-free policing policy, youth-interaction policy and officer training for both polices.

Rahinsky, 53, has had a 32-year career in law enforcement. Before coming to Grand Rapids, he served the Franklin Police Department in Tennessee as deputy chief for five years and police chief or three years.

Prior to that, Rahinsky climbed the ranks in the Broward County Sheriff's Department in Florida.

In 2017, Rahinsky applied and was one of 10 finalists for an open police chief job in Punta Gorda, Florida. He said his son, daughter and only grandchild living in the state prompted his interest in the job, but said he remained committed to Grand Rapids.

"He has shared with me that he considers his role as our police chief as the highlight of his career," Washington said in a statement.

The police chief was not immediately available for comment Wednesday evening.