PHOENIX – Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said a number of factors played a role in her decision to retire from the department but heeding the “call to service” will remain part of her future.

“I’m doing this job because I believe I was called to serve and that call to service won’t end because I’m leaving this position,” Williams told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Tuesday.

“It just means it’s going to take a different shape.”

Williams announced May 3 that she was retiring from the department after nearly six years in charge and 33 years in uniform. Her final day is sometime this summer, depending on when an interim chief is named.

She said city leaders were surprised by her declaration.

“Me telling them I’m going to retire was definitely something they did not anticipate,” Williams said.

“A lot of things played a role in the decision. Tenure plays a role, the time you’ve been in law enforcement plays a role.”

Her career, which began in Phoenix and took her to the chief’s job in Oxnard, California, has had far more highs than lows, Williams said.

“Even at the lowest times, knowing that I had the Phoenix Police Department family, the city of Phoenix community and my family always made things so much more bearable.”

Williams said her husband, Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Cody Williams, mentioned traveling and pointed out they had the energy and time to do just that.

“I’m not running away from anything, I’m running to my family, I’m running to whatever opportunities,” the chief said.

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