After less than four years on the job in Syracuse, police Chief Kenton Buckner has resigned effective Friday, and also taken his name out of the running to take the same position in Olympia, Washington.

Buckner sent an email to the department just after 2 p.m. Friday notifying them of his decision.

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your Chief for the past three years," he wrote.

At nearly the same time, city officials in Olympia, Wash., where Buckner was on the short list to become that city's next police chief, released an update saying Buckner had withdrawn his name from consideration for the post. 

Buckner was named by Mayor Ben Walsh as Syracuse police chief in 2018 after the retirement of Frank Fowler. Before coming to Central New York, Buckner was police chief in Little Rock, Ark., and served with the Louisville (Ky.) Metro Police Department for 21 years prior to that.

"As I have pursued the position in Olympia over the past several weeks, we have prepared for the potential that I may leave the department. That process has progressed to the point that I believe it is in the best of the department that I allow the transition to move forward," Buckner wrote in a letter addressed to Syracuse residents.

Buckner missed Thursday's press conference regarding body cam footage of the controversial detainment of an 8-year-old boy because he was visiting Olympia, Syracuse city officials confirmed.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in a statement that the city would make an announcement "on a new chief of police" this afternoon.

“During his tenure as chief, the Department has made major progress in its policies and procedures, recruiting and diversity on the force, and community engagement," Walsh said in the statement. "He led our department through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was proud to partner with him in embracing the police reform movement as an opportunity accelerate further improvements in policing, public safety and community relations."

The change in leadership at the police department was met with optimism from PBA President Joseph Moran.

"We're hoping it is a certified police officer, one that leads by example and generates a real connection and rapport with the membership," Moran said Friday. 

Buckner was not only on the shortlist of candidates for the job in Washington state, but was their preferred candidate, according to an Olympia spokeswoman. He cited "personal reasons" as to why he removed his name from Olympia's search.