The Little Rock Police Department's Chief Stuart Thomas is retiring after serving eight years in the position, city officials announced in a statement Friday.
Thomas will continue to work as the department's chief until June, a news release states. The city's spokesman Ben Thielemier said no specific date has been announced.
"I have been afforded a remarkably fortunate career with the department," Thomas said. "I hope my time here has helped to contribute to the success of the whole."
Little Rock City Manager Bruce T. Moore will announce plans for selecting the department's next chief in the "coming weeks," the release states.
Thomas joined the city's police department in 1978 when he was 21 to complain about the way his car's break-in was handled by the department, according to the statement. Thomas joined the department after he was challenged to do a better job.
Thomas has served as a patrol officer, a burglary and homicide detective, a narcotics supervisor and as assistant police chief.