CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Chief Kerr Putney now officially has a retiring date.

The outgoing chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says he’ll retire on July 1. Putney says he wants the community to take care of each other and be safe.

“To the Charlotte community, I’m humbled that you’ve given me the opportunity to serve here in the first place. You know my story, you know my journey. I appreciate the fact that this is the best city that I could have ever chosen to make my home and to work for in this police service.”

Last month, the city announced Johnny Jennings, the deputy chief overseeing the support services group, will replace Putney.