Harvard police chief to retire next year

Harvard Police Chief Mark Krause announced he will retire in May after 27 years on the city’s police force and seven years as the city’s chief of police.

Krause submitted a letter to City Council and other leaders on Oct. 15 informing them of his decision to retire on May 16. He was named police chief in 2014 after working his way up through the ranks of the Harvard Police Department.

“Serving as police chief for the past seven years has been a longtime goal of mine, and a position I am beyond grateful to have occupied,” Krause wrote in a letter to city officials.

Krause said his retirement date comes one day after his 27th anniversary with the police department. He was hired by Harvard in 1995 and has served in serval positions, including the department’s first school resource officer as well as sergeant and deputy chief. He has a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia College in Missouri, which he earned just before becoming the city’s police chief.

During his time as chief, Krause said he over saw many important changes to the department. They included moving to a new police station, expanding the technology the department uses, and implementing new policies to increase accountability and improve training for officers.

“I leave the Harvard Police Department with a great sense of pride and accomplishment,” Krause said.

The Harvard City Council will formally vote to accept his resignation Tuesday evening.

“While we are saddened to see his time of service come to a close, we are eternally grateful for his steadfast commitment to law enforcement and the city of Harvard,” Mayor Michael Kelly said in an email.

No timeline is in place to hire a new police chief, but Kelly said accepting Krause’s resignation on Tuesday will begin the city’s process of looking for a new leader.