Ottawa police chief to retire

Ottawa police Chief Vince Bevan announced Monday that he is stepping down from his post in early 2007 after more than six years on the job.

Bevan's police career began in 1973. Prior to joining the Ottawa Police Service in 1998, Bevan was a member of the Niagara Regional Police Service.

"I'm very proud to have reached this point in my career and I've made the decision it's time to go," Bevan said at a news conference.

"My retirement from the police service comes at a time that is right for me personally and professionally and right for my family."

Bevan's three-year contract was supposed to expire in July 2008.

In the early 1990s, he was the head of the Green Ribbon Task Force investigating the deaths of abducted teens Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.

Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were later convicted in connection with their killings, though police and the Crown came under intense criticism for the 1993 plea deal struck with Homolka.

Last month, Bevan was able to announce an arrest in connection with the murder of Jennifer Teague, an Ottawa teen who was killed in 2005 not long after finishing a late-night shift at the fast-food restaurant where she worked.

In 2003, Bevan was appointed an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson.

Bevan said Monday he was interested in getting involved in international development projects, but has no plans in the works.