Chief Kittrell to retire near year's end or mid-January

ORANGE - Police Chief Sam Kittrell intends to retire by the end of the year or mid-January , according to a letter he sent to the city manager, saying the department is running smoothly but he wants to leave before he loses "the edge, the drive, or the compassion for the job."

Kittrell has served as Chief of Police in Orange for more than 23 years.

He says it's been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of his life.

Kittrell says he still loves going to work but believes he's reached the point in his career when it's time to pass the torch.

"As much as I was a fan of Roger Staubach I don't want my last pass to be completed to an offensive lineman," said Kittrell in his letter.

Letter from Chief Kittrell to City Manager:

To: Shawn Oubre, City Manager

From: Sam Kittrell, Chief of Police

Re: Notice of Intent to Retire

Date: July 28, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to declare my intention to retire as Chief of Police of the Orange Police Department some time around the end of the year. The exact date is flexible but will be no later than January 15, 2011.

To have served as Chief of Police in my hometown for 23+ years has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life. When I began my law enforcement career on November 15, 1973 I never dreamed that some day I would be the chief of this department.

I feel fortunate to have served during an era when law enforcement evolved from a time when the levels of training and technical skills were not as readily available or required to a time when every individual is provided the training, equipment, and facilities necessary for the efficient and effective delivery of professional law enforcement services. I am also pleased to have served when the compensation for the men and women who serve is such that our families are not required to make as many sacrifices as they did in generations past.

This decision was reached at the end of a lengthy and complex process. Things are going about as smoothly and as positively as at any point in my career. I believe with all my heart that I have reached a point in my career and in my life where it is my best interest and in the best interest of the department to pass the torch of leadership. I still love going to work every day and I could not ask to work with a better group of people. No one knows the pride I feel every day as I work side by side with the men and women of the Orange police department.

One might ask if things are going so well then why would I leave. I want to leave before I reach a point in my career where I have lost the edge, the drive, or the compassion for the job. I want to leave before I have served beyond my ability to effectively lead the department. As much as I was a fan of Roger Staubach I don't want my last pass to be completed to an offensive lineman. There is no singular reason as to why it is time for me to retire from this position. There is nothing wrong. It is just time.

I am very thankful to you, to the past City Managers, and to the current and past Mayors and Council members under whom I have served. I hate to exclude anyone but I would feel remiss if I did not offer a special thanks and recognition to City Manager Charles Curry, Mayor Jim Dunaway, and to Council members Ann Kate and Martin Thomen for showing tremendous courage in nominating and confirming me as Chief of Police over 23 years ago. I also want to offer my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mayor Brown Claybar under whom I served both as City Manager and as Chief of Police. That time as City Manager is a time I would not ever want to repeat. But if it had to be repeated, he is the person I would choose as the one to go through it with again.

Sincerely,

Sam Kittrell

Chief of Police

Orange Police Department