 Gary Benincasa, interim police chief for the City of Lodi since April, announced Wednesday he will be retiring effective at the end of February 2011.
Capt. Benincasa, who has spent nearly 28 years with the Lodi Police Department, said his retirement is in the best interest of his family and the department.
"It was a family decision and we felt it was best for me to retire now," Benincasa said. "I don't have a long time left in my career, and I feel you need somebody in the chief's position for three to five years."
Benincasa, a graduate of Lodi's Tokay High School, said one of his career highlights was as SWAT commander in 2001 when the Lodi Police Department won a prestigious multi-agency competition.
"I just wanted to be a police officer and I'm very grateful to the City for the opportunities I've had," he said.
Benincasa was named interim chief following the retirement of Chief David Main in April.
"I'm happy for Gary and appreciate his hard work and the role he's had in making Lodi the safe community it is today," City Manager Konradt Bartlam said.
The recruiting process for a permanent chief will begin soon, Bartlam said.
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