Whitefish police Chief Bill Dial abruptly retired from the police department on Wednesday.

Though Dial had mentioned at recent city meetings that he planned to retire this year, his departure seemed sudden. He had served in the position since 2001.

City Manager Dana Smith announced Dial's retirement in a press release Thursday afternoon but offered no explanation for the timing.

"I was notified yesterday of his retirement," Smith told the Whitefish Pilot.

Smith has appointed Assistant Chief Bridger Kelch as interim police chief while the city prepares to fill the position permanently.

"We have the full faith and confidence in Bridger Kelch's ability to lead the department and ensure a seamless transition for our officers and the city," Mayor John Muhlfeld said in a statement. "Our citizens and residents are fortunate to be served by such a distinguished, well-trained and professional department."

Dial worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years, according to a biography on the city's website. He began his career with the Illinois State Police, where he worked as a patrol officer, undercover drug agent and criminal investigator. He commanded two drug task forces and the agency's training bureau, and was the administrative commander of a suburban Chicago patrol district.

Dial has a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University and graduated from the Illinois State Police Command College. Before becoming a police officer, he taught high school for nine years.

During his tenure in Whitefish, Dial in 2007 was granted a leave of absence to serve a year in Afghanistan as a contractor teaching modern policing.

In 2019, Dial personally sued Whitefish businessman and philanthropist Michael Goguen in Flathead County District Court, claiming Goguen attempted to derail a 2017 criminal investigation and also have Dial fired from his job.

In court records, Goguen has denied Dial's claims, saying the lawsuit was an attempt to retaliate against him for making complaints about Dial's performance as a public servant.