Hamilton police Chief Brian Mullan has called it a day.

The 35-year veteran of the Hamilton force will leave at the end of the year when his contract expires after six years at the helm of one of the most dynamic police forces in Canada.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I have a sense of relief because I’ve known this was going to happen since I put my notice in to the police services board in May,” said Mullan, who turned 55 on Sunday.

“I’m going to look for another opportunity, something that hopefully I enjoy as much as I have this job.”

It was time to hand over the reins of the 1,200-member service, he said today, and then quickly made it clear he hoped the next chief would come from within their own ranks.

Mullan leaves Hamilton police with a string of innovative successes but also morale-devastating crises that continue to reverberate throughout the force today.