Citing personal reasons for doing so, Orem's police chief resigned suddenly Tuesday and will end his service to the city within two weeks. The resignation becomes effective May 16.
Jay Carey, who was hired to replace retiring chief Ted Peacock two years ago, is 46 years old and has been in law enforcement for 26 years.During an interview Tuesday after City Manager Jim Reams released news of the resignation, Carey said it is time to move on in his life.
"It's just time," said Carey. "I'm not dying or anything. There's nothing like that. It's just time."
Carey said he's looking into other opportunities and plans to spend more time with his wife and three children.
He said the people he has worked with in Orem are "the most wonderful people in the world" and he's enjoyed his two years.
Reams said he would prefer not to say anything about Carey's reasons for leaving. "It was Jay's decision," he said. "I really don't want to say anything."
Mayor Stella Welsh said Carey came into his position after Peacock had served for 30 years. "It has been very difficult for Chief Carey," said Welsh. "He stepped into a very difficult situation.
"Chief Carey is one of the finest men I know, but he has a different philosophy (from his predecessor), and some probably found his ideas difficult to accept."