Escondido Police Department Chief Jim Maher will retire in December, according to city officials.
He was placed on paid administrative leave in September as the city investigates personnel issues, according to the department.
A week after being placed on leave, Escondido residents rallied in support of Maher, saying that he was wrongly placed on leave.
The department will not release details about the investigation, as it is ongoing.
"I have been fortunate to serve the community and the men and women of this department as Chief for the past 6 years. We have an excellent Police Department,” Maher said in a prepared statement released by the Escondido police department. “I have been honored to lead them as their Police Chief. It is hard to leave, but it is clear to me that it is time to move on.”
Maher served with the department for 32 years, and was previously a U.S. Military Marine Corps Police Officer for four years.
