Beaverton Police Chief Announces Retirement

Beaverton Police Chief Geoff Spalding is stepping down.

Spalding announced Wednesday that he would step down effective July 15, 2016.

He took over the department in February, 2009.

During his seven years at the helm, he has overseen a department that has grown 177 employees and a $30 million budget.

Beaverton is the state's sixth largest city and the department responds to 80,000 calls for service a year.

"It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Beaverton as their chief of police for seven and a half years," said Spalding. "I believe I led a department that served the citizens with compassion, integrity and respect and I look forward to the next chapter.

"While I have been privileged to serve in law enforcement for 39 years, I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with my family."

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Spalding has helped lead the push for a new public safety center, something the city council unanimously voted to put before the public on the November ballot.

"Geoff has been an integral part of our leadership team at the city and will be truly missed but I appreciate the demands of the position and the fact that he has been with us almost twice the length of time of an average police chief," said Mayor Denny Doyle. "

Geoff has prioritized leadership development during his tenure and our command structure within the department is excellent. He is leaving us in good hands."