Bradford City Police Chief Mike Close will retire this week
after 20 years with the department, after allegations of assault
against a Bradford woman surfaced on Sunday.

Close put in his notice of retirement on Sunday; it will go into
effect on Wednesday. He will be on leave until then, Close told The
Era.

Just after midnight on Sunday, Close and a woman, Amy L. Baker,
36, of Bradford, were in an argument at a residence on Northgate
Drive, according to Kane-based state police. As Close and Baker
argued, Close allegedly struck Baker, causing minor injuries to her
lower lip, police said. After more arguing, Close allegedly pushed
Baker to the ground, causing her head to hit the ground.

Then, Close, 50, got into his vehicle and fled the scene, police
said.

Around 2 p.m. on Sunday, Close turned himself in to Magisterial
District Judge Richard Luther, police said. He was arraigned on
charges of simple assault and harassment, a summary offense, and
was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 24 in front of
Magisterial District Judge Dom Cercone, according to court
records.

Mayor Tom Riel said Close is innocent until proven guilty.

“I have utmost respect for the man,” Riel told The Era on
Sunday. “He’s a great guy and a great police chief.”

As mayor under the commission form of government, Riel has sole
discretion in hiring and firing the police chief.

In his retirement, Close will receive a monetary pension, but,
like other city workers, no medical benefits, Riel said.

As mayor, Riel can appoint a city police officer from within the
ranks of the department, he said. Also, a police chief can be
brought in from outside, which has happened before in Bradford. But
Riel said he’s not going to rush to find a new police chief.

“At this point, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Riel said.
“Other than take the time and evaluate what’s best for the police
department and the city.”

In announcing the retirement, neither Close or Riel made
reference to the alleged assault. In fact, Riel cited the
accomplishments of Close in his tenure as police chief.

While with the department, Close went from patrolman to sergeant
and, finally, to chief on Jan. 7, 2008.

In the 26 months as police chief, Close was key in many changes
to the police department, Riel said.

In order to better enable the police department to fight crime
in the city, Close set up the emergency response team, the Street
Crimes Unit and an anonymous tip line, the mayor said.

The chief also oversaw the dispatch transition to the 911 center
and the officer shift change, which went from five eight-hour
shifts to three 12-hour shifts and one eight-hour shift, Riel
said.

Also, Close helped the department secure grant money for
improvements, Riel said.

He worked with Elm Street Manager Lisa Campogiani to fund
purchases of Segways for the department, the mayor said. Another
grant Close worked for enabled the department to purchase a
polygraph machine, Riel said, adding that cameras, tasers and other
equipment were obtained through grants secured by Close.

The mayor said Close gave the department a new look by
introducing new uniforms and paint jobs on police cruisers.

“I wish him nothing but the best,” Riel said. “He did a hell of
a job and I wish he was able to stay on.”

Close said he was proud of the training he helped provide to the
city’s police officers during his tenure.

“I tried to make it the best trained and best equipped
department I could,” he said.

Police officers who stay on the force too long do a disservice
to themselves and the city, Close said, adding that 20 years being
a policeman is enough time.

Close said he had thought of retiring for a couple months. He
could have retired Jan. 12 when he reached 20 years with the force.
Instead, he chose to retire March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.

“That’s what I wanted to do, so I’m doing it,” Close said.

Close succeeded former police chief Roger Sager, who just
retired at the beginning of the month.