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Cedar City • Cedar City's police chief is departing.

The Spectrum of St. George reports that Police Chief Robert Allinson announced he is retiring next month.

Allinson made the news public Thursday during the police department's annual awards banquet.

He has been chief for nearly 19 years.

He started out as a dispatcher for the Layton Police Department.

Mayor Maile Wilson says the city will start planning a hiring process for a successor in the next few days.

Allinson says he wants to spend more time with his family.

His last day will be June 30.