Michael Berkow Savannah Chatham Metro Police Chief Michael Berkow announced on Tuesday, August 25 his intent to resign effective at the close of business on October 10.

Berkow says the main reason for his tough decision to leave is because of the distance between him and his son.

Berkow will return to California, as President and Chief Operating Officer of a new division of a company called Altegrity, a large company that consults on international policing efforts.

Berkow assumed the role of Chief of Police for the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department on November 13, 2006.

He is the first outsider appointed to head this organization since the Savannah Police Department and the Chatham County Police Department were merged to form the Metropolitan Police Department.

Prior to his appointment with Metro, Chief Berkow served most recently as a Deputy Chief with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Mayor Otis Johnson thanked Berkow for his service, and applauded him for the strides that have been made during his tenure. “We all appreciate the sacrifices you have made throughout these past three years,” Johnson said.