Police chief moves up retirement

Portales Police Department Chief Jeff Gill told city officials Wednesday that he will retire Aug. 31, three weeks prior to his original retirement date.

Jeff Gill

Portales City Manager Tom Howell said the city did not ask him for an earlier retirement.

Howell said this was a decision made by the chief, but would not disclose why Gill is retiring earlier than planned.

Gill has been with the department for 19 years. He came to Portales in 1993 from a police training academy.

Gill announced in July his plans to retire Sept. 21.

A spokesperson for Gill said he is no longer speaking to the media.