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Slayton, who has served as the department's chief since July 2021, told 69传媒 on Tuesday that his last day on the job will be Jan. 20, 2025. He began his career as an officer on Jan. 19, 1998, so he will leave exactly 27 years and a day later.聽He became a patrol lieutenant in 2016, and was promoted to administrative lieutenant of planning and training before taking the top post.

Noting that he will be 59 in January, Slayton said he woke up earlier this month and realized it was time to move on to the next phase of his life.

"I've had a great career. I've enjoyed working for the city," he said.

"I've enjoyed meeting all of the people that I have met over the years and I've accomplished some things that I'm proud of. It's just my time to go."

After speaking with his wife, Michele, and his daughters, Marissa and Alayna, Slayton told 69传媒 City Manager Jeff Dygert on Nov. 7 about his departure and informed the department later that day.聽The police chief said neither of his daughters live in 69传媒 anymore, and his second grandchild, Brooks, was born last week. So he wants to move closer to his family.

"I'm still healthy, and I want to be able to do things while I'm retired," he said. "I just feel happy. You work so many years toward retirement and you never know when that's going to come."

Dygert told 69传媒 the city is grateful Slayton's retirement date gives officials time to find a new chief. The 69传媒 Civil Service Commission has been reaching out to 69传媒 police who are qualified for the role and are on the city's civil service list. The city manager said he hopes to hear from the commission this week about which officers are interested in the position.

The city will try to name a new chief before Jan. 20, said Dygert, who lauded Slayton for his work with the department.聽

"We appreciate all of Chief Slayton's service to the community and to the police department, and appreciate his leadership over the last few years," he said.

Being chief has been rewarding, Slayton said, but also stressful and time-consuming. He's proud of advancements the department made under his tenure, such as securing聽body cameras for officers in 2022 and partnering with the Cayuga 69传媒 Community Mental Health Center to start a daytime mobile crisis team. He also noted the department's accreditation by the New York State Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council in 2023 and receipt of state Gun-Involved Violence Elimination Initiative grants in recent years to address violent crime.

"We always want to make the department move forward and progress, and that's what I feel that all of these things we've done over the years have allowed us to do," he said.

Slayton also praised the officers he has worked with over the decades.

"I've worked with some great men and women. I've met a lot of people who have become friends of mine," he said. "Everybody was always professional. Our families got to know one another."

The police chief added that he has been thrilled to see dozens of those officers come to the department and mature in their careers.

"It's been an awesome experience," he said. "I'm very thankful that I've had the opportunity to do this."