Tampa’s chief of police is retiring.

Chief Brian Dugan made the announcement Monday morning at police headquarters downtown. He will be leaving the post effective Sept. 10.

Dugan, 54, has served as chief the last four years and has served in the department for 31 years. Dugan was appointed chief in Nov. 2017 by then Mayor Bob Buckhorn when Eric Ward retired as chief in July of that year.

Dugan made the announcement to the media with the former chief and current mayor Jane Castor, by his side.

"I have been proud to serve this cty. It has been an honor of a lifetime to help lead this department and to serve and protect our great community," he said. "We've celebrated Super Bowls, Stanley Cups, implemented body-worn cameras, cultivated community relationships, delivered effective communication. We've balanced free speech with public safety and relentlessly and successfully pursued a serial killer. And we have mourned officers who have given their lives to protect our communities."

Assistant Chief Ruben "Butch" Delgado will take over as active interim chief while a search goes on.

Chief Dugan played several key roles in establishing the department's reputation as a well-respected, highly professional organization.

"I'm really proud of the fact of that we have improved our transparency. We have a very good relationship with the community," Dugan said.

Hired in 1990, he spent several years in the North Tampa District. He has also worked in the Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Street Anti -Crime Unit, Quick Uniform Attack on Drugs Squad (QUAD), Internal Affairs Bureau, Mayor's Security Detail, and as a Field Training Officer.

Dugan has also served in every facet of the department at some point in his career, developing a diverse background of experience.

A cancer survivor, Dugan thanked his wife and two children as well as the community as a whole.

“For 31 years, and the last four as your chief of police, I have been proud to serve this city,” Dugan said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to help lead this department and serve and protect this community.

“I am so proud to wear the uniform of a Tampa police officer.”

During his tenure, Chief Dugan reassured the safety of Tampa residents as the city prepped for Hurricane Irma.

He also led the department through an intense search for the Seminole Heights serial killer in 2018. After four people were murdered, Howell Donaldson III was finally arrested.

More recently, he guided the city through last summer's civil unrest and carried the department through the untimely death of MPO Jesse Madsen, killed in the line of duty on March 9, 2021.

Mayor Castor said the retirement of her longtime friend is bittersweet.

"Chief Dugan has had a remarkable career as an innovative leader, with a passionate focus on community engagement and interaction," said Mayor Castor. "Our community l owes him a debt of gratitude, as his steady guidance and leadership of America's finest police department has been nothing short of outstanding. I am grateful for his service and friendship through the years."