Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero has announced he won't seek re-election, and next year will be his last with the Sheriff's Office.
He says by the end of next year, he will have been with the department 47 years, and it's time to move on.
"I've come to realize that it's been a very, very happy with the types of activities and the accomplishments we've been able to do collectively in Ontario County, " he said.
One of the things he's most proud of is the creation of the school resource officer program in Ontario County schools.
"It truly allows the students to have an individual they can go to when they have issues that a police officer can assist them with, with a goal to see that all students in our school system eventually graduate and go on to successful careers," he said.
During his tenure as Sheriff, there have been great technological advancements in communication and the way scientific evidence has been collected since he started as sheriff in 1990.
"It's been a phenomenal move forward with the DNA advances and the collecting of the DNA in solving crimes, but at the same time, proving individuals are not guilty of an offense they may be charged with," he said.
Povero says his goals in the next year include reinforcing safety and security in schools with the ongoing concerns over active shooter situations.
He says addressing the opioid epidemic is also a priority.
Povero says he'll miss the team he's worked with for so many years when he retires from the post on December 31st, 2018.
He says he looks forward to spending time on plans he and his wife have made for the future, and spending time with their three grandchildren.
Povero adds as a police officer, he is not endorsing anyone for Ontario County Sheriff.
Shortly after Povero announced he's retiring, Gates Police Sgt. Silvio Palermo declared his candidacy.