Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn announced his retirement from the MPD today, first in a meeting with his top commanders, then an hour later when Mayor Tom Barrett made it public at a joint news conference. His final day will be Feb. 16. 

"It's time to say thank you," Flynn said at the press conference, "and it's time to say goodbye."

Flynn was sworn in as Milwaukee’s police chief on Jan. 7, 2008, marking 10 years in the role – the fifth longest serving chief in the city's history as well as only the second outsider to take on the position. The first, Philip Arreola, served seven years from 1989 to '96. The city’s longest serving police chief – and arguably its most notable – was Harold Breier who led the MPD for 20 years from 1964 to 1984.

Breier was the last chief appointed for life. The term for police chief changed to seven-year terms, then four-year terms. Flynn was appointed to a third term which began in January 2016.

It is the purview of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission to name an interim. The likely national search could take five to six months.