Montreal police chief to retire

Montreal's chief of police has announced he is retiring in September, after more than five years on the job.

Yvan Delorme has already met with Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay and Quebec Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis to inform them of his decision, according to a statement by Montreal police.

The news release said Delorme will step aside in September, once a suitable replacement has been chosen, at which point he plans to return to private life.

No reason was given for Delorme's departure.

Delorme stepped into the role of police chief in April 2005. He was 42 at the time, making him the youngest person ever to lead the force.

He oversaw the force during the Dawson College shootings 2006 as well as at a downtown riot following a Montreal Canadiens playoffs game in 2008. More recently, he had to deal with the aftermath of the shooting death of Fredy Villanueva by a Montreal police officer in 2008 and the riot that it sparked.

Delorme is credited with starting up a metro unit and an airport squad, as well as integrating school crossing guards to the force.