Edina Police Chief Mike Siitari put in his resignation four years ago. When he changed his mind and decided to stay with the force for a while longer, he took "some good-natured ribbing" from the rest of the department.

"They called me the Brett Favre of the office," he said.

Now Siitari's resignation is official as of Thursday. After 31 years with the Edina department, he is leaving to become director of the Minnesota School Safety Center.

Organized in 2007, the center's mission is to promote safety and curb school violence by working with schools and law enforcement. Siitari, 56, said he will use his experience to develop relationships and procedures to make best practices for K-12 school safety available throughout the state.

"I will miss being a part of an organization that makes such a difference," Siitari said of the Edina Police Department. But he does look forward to no longer being on call even when he's off duty.

Since 1955, the Edina department has hired its chief from within its ranks, said City Manager Gordon Hughes.

Replacing Siitari will be Deputy Chief Jeff Long, who has been with the department since 1987. Long said Siitari's mentorship will make for an easy transition. However, he said he still has much to learn. "I have some big shoes to fill," said Long.

Long said throughout his career, Siitari has been dedicated to accountability and integrity. "He doesn't want anyone to question what we're doing," said Long.

And though Siitari will be moving on, Long said he's not done learning from him. "I'm going to keep him on speed dial to ask questions," said Long.

Siitari was hired by the department as a dispatcher in 1978 after one year working at the Hennepin County jail. Within a year, Siitari was working as an officer on the Edina force. "I couldn't have found a better place to work," he said.

Hughes promoted Siitari 10 years ago to chief and has been impressed with his professionalism, saying "He absolutely typifies a model police officer."

Hughes has watched Siitari over the past 31 years and has seen him invest himself in the department. "I have never seen him ask an officer to do something he wasn't willing to do himself," he said.

In 2001, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association recognized Siitari with the Meritorious Service Award. In the wake of a bank robbery that ended in a shootout, he was recognized for his commitment to training that had prepared his force to handle the situation.

Siitari will do some adjusting with his new job. He will trade his uniform for business casual attire -- a big change, since he's worn a uniform throughout his career. His spacious office will be replaced with a cubicle. And his nice commute from Medina to Edina will transition into a trek to "the other side of the river" in St. Paul.

However, some things will stay the same. Siitari will remain a Medina city councilman and plans to continue his active lifestyle of hockey, cross-country skiing, tennis, golf, biking and weight training.

Joy Petersen is a Minneapolis freelance writer.