Centerville police chief stepping down

CENTERVILLE -- The city’s chief of police is resigning effective June 30.

Mayor John Harley said Chief Sidney Andrews is leaving his post due to health reasons.

He said Andrews has had several back and abdominal surgeries in recent years, and he battles other health issues.

Andrews has been with the force almost 15 years and been chief just shy of six years.

Harley said Andrews’ resignation will become official after it’s been publicly read at a City Council work session June 16. Andrews is currently on medical leave.

“The city has done well under his leadership,” the mayor said. “We will certainly miss him.”

In a written media statement, Andrews said the decision to leave the city came after “much thought, consideration and consulting with my family.”

Andrews said he considers himself fortunate to have worked with “a great team of employees” and that Centerville and its residents “will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Councilman Jonathan Nichols, who serves as councilman over both the police and fire departments, said he was shocked at Andrews’ resignation but supported his decision to leave to focus on his health and family.

“Chief (Andrews) came in saying he needed to resign due to health issues, saying his health was most important,” Nichols said.

“We accepted his resignation based 100 percent on health reasons, and I’m very proud of what he’s done for us. He’s worked diligently to uphold our codes and standards, and like any department, those standards are always being tweaked to make them better.”

Nichols said day-to-day police department operations are being taken on by Assistant Chief W.G. Cooley while the city seeks a new police chief.

According to information on www.centervillega.org, Andrews was appointed chief in 2009, a year after being promoted to assistant chief in 2008.

He served in a variety of capacities during his time in the department, including patrol commander and criminal investigations division commander. He was attached to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a task force agent from 2004 to 2006 and has worked as a clandestine laboratory technician, SWAT operator, field-training officer and crime scene technician.

Contact Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Centerville police chief stepping down ."