The police chief of New Mexico's largest city says his decision to step down isn't connected to a pending U.S. Justice Department investigation but rather because "it's time."
Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz told The Associated Press on Monday the move to retire came after deciding the timing was right to move on after more than 30 years in law enforcement.
He says that Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry did not pressure him to step down, even as others called for his resignation.
Berry says he didn't know about Schultz's decision until receiving his letter on Friday. The mayor says he will conduct a national search for the next police chief and plans to make a hire after this year's mayoral election.
Federal officials are looking into the department over cases of alleged excessive force.