Chief Paul Bunten To Retire Jan. 16

Chief Paul Bunten plans to retire Jan. 16, 2012.

In a letter to city manager Todd Campbell, Bunten explained the "difficult decision" to conclude his 47-year career in public services.

"This has been a difficult decision for me to make but after many discussions with my wife and family, we feel that the time is right to retire," wrote Bunten, in a letter dated Nov. 14.

At Monday's meeting, city council will consider a motion to acknowledge receipt of the letter and thank Bunten for his nearly 18 years of service to the city.

Bunten said he originally planned to retire in July of 2012 after taking time to train the new second-in-command officer. Bunten hoped that officer would help the department's transition as it brought a new chief aboard.

"It was my thought that a lengthy transition would allow for a thoughtful and thorough search for a new chief and also provide the necessary time to acclimate the new second-in-charge on the budget process and the day-to-day administration of the department," Bunten wrote. "Prolonging my retirement date now no longer appears to be necessary or desirable."

Bunten and Campbell had been working on a new administrative structure for the department. Until the recent , the department's administrative team consisted of a chief and deputy chief. The new plan was to replace the deputy chief position with a lieutenant position. Bunten was hours away from announcing the promotion of one of the department's two sergeants when the .

Mayor Gretchen Driskell and several members of city council have said they think the new chief should restructure the department.

In his letter to Campbell, Bunten said his 18 years with the department were rewarding.

"I have had an opportunity to work with many very professional and talented department heads and staff. The women and men of the police department are some of the most professional people I have ever had the honor to work with," Bunten wrote. "Your police department is recognized in the county and Southeast Michigan as one of the best, most professional departments and many agencies look upon us as leaders in the profession."

Bunten said he will retire with a strong feeling of accomplishment. He pointed to the improvement made in job training and the technological transition to digital environment.

"It has been an honor to serve the people of the City of Saline as their police chief and I will cherish the memory of these almost 18 years for the rest of my life," Bunten wrote.

City council, which had asked for an interim second-in-command officer, will now shift its focus to searching for a new police chief.