NATCHEZ — After nearly 30 years on the force and nine years in the chief’s office, Mike Mullins is retiring from the Natchez Police Department.

Mullins, who discussed his plans with Mayor Jake Middleton last week, said Monday that he would work as chief until a replacement is hired or until June.

“I’ve recommended to the mayor that the board go ahead and start the search for chief as soon as possible, as it can be a lengthy process,” Mullins said.

Mullins would not elaborate on his reasons for retiring now, but both he and Middleton said the timing was right.

“Thirty years in the business is long enough,” Mullins said. “I’ve enjoyed serving.”

Middleton said he was appreciative of Mullins’ service to the city but thought retirement was the right move for both Mullins and the city.

“We both did,” he said of the decision for Mullins to retire. “We just had a long discussion about it, and I wish him the best of luck.

“I think Mike has done a good job. He’s been thinking about retirement for some time, and there just comes a time when you have to sit down and say, I think I’ve done as good of a job as I can do.”

Middleton acknowledged that a number of residents have expressed a growing concern about crime in the city limits and said the police department is an easy target for complaints.

NPD and Mullins also spent much of the last two years in the spotlight after two officers were charged with federal crimes — one was convicted on some charges, the other acquitted.

“Law enforcement is probably the most visible department in the city,” Middleton said. “People want things to be handled quicker than they can be.”

Alderman James “Rickey” Gray said a culture of crime is a concern, but that can’t be blamed solely on the police department, or Mullins.

“I’m not going to say me and Mike had the best relationship,” said Gray, who is the alderman assigned to oversee the police department. “I always treated him fair, and I always told him he needed to be more visible in the community, but people think anything that is going on is the chief’s fault.

“I don’t think the police department has anything to do with (increased) crime.”

Middleton, who is returning from vacation today, said he would begin the process of finding a new chief upon his return.

The city and Civil Service Commission will advertise the open position inside and outside the department.

Interested candidates can inquire about job requirements at City Hall.

Once the application period ends, the Civil Service Commission will review and interview all applicants. Their recommendations of qualified candidates will go to the board of aldermen, who will have final say.

Middleton said he was hopeful to have the selection narrowed down by December or January.

Mullins said it was a nine-month process when he was appointed chief.

Gray, who had not previously heard the news of Mullins’ retirement, said he had some concerns about the timing.

Since City of Natchez elections will be this spring, Gray said he did not think it would be right for the current mayor and board to hire a replacement. If elections result in a new mayor or board, the newly hired police chief could be replaced, Gray said.

He also expressed concern that it may not be good for the department to have a lame duck chief for nine months, saying he wanted to talk to the mayor and Mullins more about their agreement.

Mullins started as a patrol officer at NPD in 1982.

In 1988 he was promoted to investigator and in 1989 he became a sergeant.

In 1998 he became lieutenant of investigations, and 1999 he filled an opening for captain.

He was named chief in 2002.