Wenham Police Chief Kenneth Walsh will be retiring from thewhere he has served since 1988.
Walsh, who will be named the head of security for Endicott College in Beverly, will continue serving as chief until the end of July.
"I was informed yesterday that the Chief will be leaving Wenham most likely at the end of July," Wenham Board of Selectmen Chairman Molly Martins said.
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Walsh delivered his letter announcing his retirement to the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator Mark Andrews mid-afternoon on Thursday. (See letter attached).
"I am excited about the next phase of my career," Walsh said. But he also said it is "very emotional" to leave Wenham.
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Andrews, who called Walsh "the consummate professional," said the Board of Selectmen will meet in July to discuss Walsh's retirement and the transition to a new chief.
Andrews, who said he already had Walsh's private phone number at Endicott, will continue working with Walsh on several issues, including acquiring new equipment, adding an officer and maintaining the state certification for the department.
Walsh, a resident of Groveland, has been with the Wenham department full time for 24 years. He rose through the ranks and was named chief in 2005.
Walsh served in a variety of professional associations, including being president of the Essex County Chiefs of Police Association.
The Wenham department is comprised of 10 full-time sworn officers and one civilian employee.
The Department also employs Reserve Officers which at full strength brings the total allotment to 26 sworn officers.
