The Adams Police Chief is retiring after more than a decade in the position. He's spent more than 30 years in the department. YNN's Madeleine Rivera talks to him about his experience on the job and how the town is preparing for his leave.

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ADAMS, Mass. -- For Adams Police Chief Donald Poirot, retiring was not an easy a decision.

"The hardest part of the job, for me, it's walking away from it," he said.

Rather, it was a timely one.

"The department is in a very good, stable position. It's a good time for me to make another transition in my life," said Poirot.

He has spent more than 30 years in the town's police department. He started in the late 70s at the age of 19 as a provisional officer. He worked his way up the ranks. Now, he's rounding out his 11th year as chief.

"I always had a sense of helping people and being with people on a personal level and being able to take care of people," said Poirot.

Helping people is not the only thing that Poirot loved about the job.

"Being a police officer is something that's hard to explain. It's a brotherhood, it's sisterhood. You just have a common bond with people who are doing the same job," he said.

"After 30 plus years of service, he's definitely able to step away on his own right. He's certainly earned that right. But I think we're aware of the fact it's going to be a challenge. He's left big shoes to fill," said Jonathan Butler, town administrator.

It's been more than a week since Chief Poirot announced his retirement. But town administrator Jonathan Butler says they're preparing for the search for a new chief. One of the things he's looking for is someone who can embrace the sense of community in Adams, a town with 10,000 residents.

"It's a community that looks to its police department for guidance and leadership," said Butler.

Something that Poirot says he appreciates.

"One of the things that they support is public safety and that's what brings the quality of life to a higher standard," he said.

Poirot's last day is April 26. Butler says they'll do a regional search for a new chief. They're hoping to fill the position by July.