GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Greensboro Police Chief Ken Miller announced Wednesday he plans to retire in 2014.
He said he plans to retire between September 1 and December 31 and pursue police or executive leadership opportunities in other jurisdictions or corporations. The announcement comes after Miller accepted a $27,000 salary raise from the city last October to try and compensate for the money he would lose by not retiring in March.
Miller told WFMY News 2 that when he made the deal with the city, he was still looking ahead to leaving when he felt the department was stable. He said he sees the department as ahead of schedule in becoming stable and restructured.
"I think we made great progress," he said. "I have no regrets coming here. I have every reason to be thankful."
Miller joined the Greensboro Police Department in 2010 after working as a deputy chief for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for four years. He also worked for Charlotte-Mecklenburg's police department for 21 years and was an auxiliary deputy sheriff in Greeneville, Tennessee for two years. He served as a security police sergeant in the United States Air Force.
The city will begin the process of hiring a consultant to guide the selection process for a new chief. The city said depending on Miller's departure, it is ready to name an acting chief during the transition period.
Mayor Nancy Vaughn said she is not completely surprised by Miller's announcement because she knew he had looked at other opportunities outside Greensboro in the past. She said Miller came to the police department during a difficult time and has helped make it better.
Council member Zack Matheny said he is a little disappointed that Miller is leaving. He said he fought hard to get the finances worked out to keep the chief in Greensboro past his retirement.
Sharon Hightower, also a council member, said it's disheartening to see the chief leave the city. She said Miller was her pick for chief when she was on the interview committee. She said he's promoted good people within the department and created a good team. 
Chief Miller released the following statement:
"For the past four years, I have loved calling Greensboro my home. The community warmly embraced my family and me, and has welcomed the many changes in the department and in our policing strategies." says Miller. "I have had the good fortune of working with a great City leadership team, and working with outstanding and committed employees of the police department.
Policing a free society is difficult work, but I have found the men and women of the Greensboro Police Department to be prepared and willing to meet the challenges directly and lift the department and community to new heights along the way. Words can hardly express my pride in the GPD and our community for all we have done together to make our city safer. I look forward to watching more exceptional progress in the coming years."
