Collierville Police Chief David Tillner submitted a letter to town officials Friday, Dec. 20, announcing his plan to retire immediately.

In an email, Tillner said his retirement was to become effective at 5 p.m. Friday.

“Life is about timing and opportunities,” the email said. “Following careful thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from the Town of Collierville, effective Friday at 5:00 p.m. I pray for the continued success and safety of every man and woman who call the Collierville Police Department home.”

Town Administrator James Lewellen said the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will begin the process of finding a new chief after the first of the year. It was not immediately clear who will serve as interim chief. 

The retirement comes less than 18 months after Tillner, who has been with the department 30 years, took the helm. He was appointed by aldermen when then-Chief Larry Goodwin retired last summer.

During Tillner's tenure, the department struggled to retain officers. The issue prompted aldermen to have an anonymous survey conducted by a third party. Many officers indicated in the survey they did not feel confident in Tillner's leadership.

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Alderman Billy Patton said he heard officers describe Tillner as a “good soldier” but not a “good general.”

Many officers supported Tillner when he was named to the post but felt discontentment in the following months.

Lewellen said in a work session earlier that officers were performing their jobs, but interdepartmental skills such as communication were lacking.

The department is in the process of developing a strategic plan and training new officers.