(Spirit Lake)– The city of Spirit Lake is once again looking for a new Police Chief.
Jon Martyr this (Tues.) morning issued a letter to the community and city council in which he announces his resignation as Police Chief.
Martyr wasn’t immediately for comment.
In his letter, Martyr states that he’s accepted a position as a patrol lieutenant with the Corvallis, Oregon Police Department.
Martyr writes that he made his decision after several months of difficult decision making.
Martyr went on to write that the staff of the Spirit Lake Police Department are some of the very best law enforcement professionals he’s ever had the honor of serving with.
Martyr sites several accomplishments of the department while under his tenure, including a standardized policy manual, increased staffing levels, assigned a detective to narcotics and serious crimes, partnering with the schools in developing a school resource officer, initiating and partnering with the community in the Anti-Drug Coalition; forming the Lakes Area Warrant Service Team; partnering with other local law enforcement agencies to address drug crimes, modernized computers and communications, standardized firearms, and helped oversee a physical relocation of the department into a larger facility at a very minimal cost.
In his letter, Martyr suggests a new Chief of Police be appointed from existing staff of the Police Department for the sake of consistency. Martyr says he’d be willing to assist in that process.
Martyr went on to thank the city of Spirit Lake, Dickinson county law enforcement officers, government and service organization members, Spirit Lake schools and staff of the Spirit Lake Police Department for making his time in the community rewarding and enjoyable.
There’s no word yet on who will succeed Martyr as Chief on an interim basis until a successor is appointed.
