Fort Wayne’s Director of Public Safety Rusty York announced Tuesday morning he will be retiring in December.
York has spent 39 years working in public safety. He served as Fort Wayne’s police chief for 14 of those years, before being named director of public safety in January 2014.
In that position, York oversaw the Fort Wayne police and fire departments as well as animal care and control. He also led efforts for the City to receive grant funding and provided direction in union negotiations.
York says he had considered retiring as early as this January, but didn’t want it to be a distraction for what ended up being a busy year as director.
“Our police chief, Gerry Hamilton, stepped down, so we had to go through the process of putting together a different command staff," he said.
"We had to negotiate two contracts, and also it’s been an ongoing project to put in a plan for the fire department to deliver emergency medical services.”
York says he will spend his retirement teaching criminal justice, consulting and investing more time in his hobby: creating leaded glass pieces. His retirement is effective on December 1. Fort Wayne Police Chief Steve Reed and Fire Chief Eric Lahey will serve as interim co-directors of public safety.
UPDATE: Fort Wayne City Council voted to eliminate the position of public safety director from the 2017 budget on Tuesday night.
