For nearly a decade, Ron Rice has been the public face of the Maysville Police Department.
Rice has served as chief of the MPD for the past nine years and has been on the department for 23 years.
Last week, Rice informed city commission that he is taking off his gun belt, turning in his badge and retiring, effective at the end of August.
Rice, the first African-American to serve as chief, was named to the position when Kent Butcher retired.
Replacing Rice will now fall to city commission and City Manager Matt Wallingford.
Wallingford said he plans to recommend to commissioners at their first meeting in September that they promote from within.
In the meantime, Rice remains chief until Sept. 1, although after a police chiefs conference this week he will be on vacation until his retirement is effective, Wallingford said.
Until a new chief is named, Assistant Chief Jared Muse will oversee police department operations, Wallingford said.
During his tenure as chief, Rice guided MPD through the process to become accredited through the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation Program. To be an accredited agency, a police department must meet 140 standard in such areas as policy and procedure, training and equipment. He also oversaw the move into the new police and communications headquarters on Government Street and the opening of the renovated substation in the East End.
A reception to honor Rice on his retirement is set for Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Maysville Rotary Building. The public is invited.
