FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville Police Chief Tom McCarthy announced to city officials on Monday his retirement after more than five years of service with the police force.

McCarthy, whose retirement is effective Feb. 1, 2007, will retire with more than 29 years of service, 19 of which have been as a police chief. He was sworn in as Fayetteville’s police chief in June 2001.

“I have a deep appreciation for the support I have received from the community," McCarthy said in a recent e-mail to police department employees. "All of the successes experienced by the department are the direct result of the hard work and dedication of the FPD team. Serving this All-America city has been a privilege."

It is not known who will replace McCarthy in February.

This is the second big change for Fayetteville. In April, City Manager Roger Stancil resigned. Dale Iman takes over the position next month.