Chief of the Ithaca Police Department Lauren Signer announced this morning that she will be retiring Oct. 9.
The reason for the sudden announcement is an illness in Signer’s family, according to a press release.
Signer became the deputy chief of the IPD in 1999, after serving for more than 10 years with the Albany Police Department. In August 2004, she was became the first female chief of the IPD.
Senior Deputy Chief Edward Vallely will be acting chief until the City can choose a permanent replacement.