Lincoln Township Police Chief Gary Soper is retiring.

The announcement was made this week at the township board meeting. Lincoln Township Manager Kacey Dominguez told us Soper’s last day will be April 15 after 30 years of service with the community.

The search for Soper’s replacement will start internally.

“For the police union contract we’ll give the offer for our current police officers internally to apply,” Dominguez said. “We’ll review those applications and based on those applicants if we need to open it up to the public we’ll do that after.”

Soper told us he’s had a great run in Lincoln Township. He started his law enforcement career in the city of Benton Harbor but later came to the township as a patrol officer. He became chief in 2017.

Soper noted April 15, his last day, will be 30 years to the day since he started with the department. He said he’s had a fantastic career with Lincoln Township, and the community has always been supportive.