PROVO — The Provo police chief announced Monday that he will retire effective Jan. 1, 2011.

"This is the right time for me, for the department and for the community," Provo Police Chief Craig Geslison said in a statement.

The announcement comes less than a month after Mayor John Curtis hired an outside auditing firm to look into the operations of the Provo Police Department after a series of cases involving officer misconduct and complaints about the integrity and leadership of the department.

When asked for an explanation, Provo city's spokeswoman said that in light of recent allegations of police criminal misconduct by three officers, it's not uncommon for a police chief to evaluate his position.

Shortly after the announcement was made Monday, Provo police officer Mark Petersen, 46, pleaded no contest to reduced misdemeanor charges in connection with an Oct. 17 assault. Investigators say he held a gun to his common law wife's head. He was sentenced to a 30-day work division program with the Utah County Jail and will be on probation for one year.

On Dec. 2, former Provo police officer Jeffery Westerman pleaded guilty to groping a woman after a traffic stop last July. Westerman remains free but will face up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 3.

Last month, Provo police officer Troy Brewer was charged with misdemeanor counts of theft and possession of a controlled substance. A Provo family said he went to their house to investigate a 911 call, then returned to their house several times and allegedly stole Lortab pills. Brewer was allowed to resign after the alleged theft was discovered in February.

Concerns were also raised by several sources closely connected to Provo police about the department's handling of an investigation into an incident involving Spanish Fork Police Chief Dee Rosenbaum. On June 5, Rosenbaum was detained by security officers at a local department store for investigation of retail theft. The Provo city attorney declined to file charges after what Provo police described as a "thorough investigation."

Geslison started with the police department in April 1978 as a patrol officer and was appointed chief in 2002 by Provo Mayor Lewis Billings. While moving up in the department, he supervised dispatch, patrol and the special investigations bureau.

He is one of the highest paid police chiefs in the state, drawing more than $200,000 a year.

"I want to thank Provo City and the people I work with for a great career. I have loved working with the people — the people of the city, the people of my department — and I look forward to their further success," Geslison said.

Contributing: Lori Prichard

e-mail: vvo-duc@ksl.com