WASHINGTON, N.C. (WITN) - The longtime public safety director for Washington is leaving.

City Manager Jonathan Russell confirmed that Stacy Drakeford is retiring at the end of the month.

Drakeford has been the city’s police chief and then public safety director for the past 13 years. He has a total of 37 years in public service.

Russell says Drakeford has been a great employee, a great community partner, and they are very happy for him.

Russell says they haven’t decided whether to restructure the police department or just fill the public safety director’s position.

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