HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson is in search of a new police chief. Current Chief Dick Heitschmidt announced his retirement effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Chief Heitschmidt began his career in law enforcement in 1973 as a deputy sheriff with the Reno County Sheriff’s Department. In 1986, Heitschmidt took over as the Director of Administrative Services, which is primarily Emergency Communications (911 Center) — a joint operation of the City of Hutchinson and Reno County. Six years later, in 1992, Heitschmidt was appointed as the Hutchinson Police Chief, a position he will retire from after 26 years.

“Chief Heitschmidt is one of those people that when in a crisis you want at your side,” City Manager John Deardoff said. “The Hutchinson community has been so fortunate to have such a capable law enforcement professional leading its police department for the past 26 years. I have enjoyed a very positive and professional relationship with Chief Heitschmidt during my time here and thank him for a job well done.”

“I have worked as a Law Enforcement Officer for the last 45 years in my hometown,” Chief Heitschmidt said. “It’s been an honor and great privilege to have served 26 years of those as Chief of Police. It is now time to move on to the next chapter in my life.”

Deardoff says a national search for a new police chief will begin immediately with the intent of having a new chief named before Heitschmidt’s departure Oct. 1, 2018.