After four years as the city of Bonney Lake’s top cop, Police Chief Mike Mitchell has told Mayor Neil Johnson he intends to retire next fall.

The chief’s last day is expected on or around Sept. 16, 2011.

Mitchell was hired in 2006 by Johnson to replace Arthur “Buster” McGehee, who held the position as interim chief following the 2004 resignation of Bryan Jeter, who took a position in Puyallup.

Though Mitchell, 53, has been considering retirement for some time, Johnson said he continues to hold out hope the chief might change his mind.

“The chief has mentioned retirement before, so if that is what he wants to do next year for him and his family then I fully support what he wants to do,” Johnson said in an e-mail. “Mike would be hard to replace, so until he submits his plans in writing to me I will continue to hold out hope that he will change his mind.”

Johnson said a process to replace the chief would begin soon and both internal and external candidates would be considered for the position.

Prior to joining the Bonney Lake Department, Mitchell served as assistant chief in Mountlake Terrace and has more than 25 years experience in law enforcement.

Check back online later this week for more on Mitchell’s retirement.