Hays ? The Hays police chief has announced plans to retire next month after 32 years with the department.

Police Chief Jim Braun will be retiring April 1. He’s 54.

The Hays Daily News reports that Assistant Police Chief Don Scheibler will serve as interim chief after Braun retires.

Braun joined the Hays police department in 1979, when he was hired as a patrolman. He was named chief in 2002.