Lawrence Police Chief Tarik Khatib is pictured in the briefing room at the Law Enforcement Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016.

Lawrence Police Chief Tarik Khatib said he will step down as the department’s head this summer.

Khatib has been with the Lawrence Police Department for more than 20 years and served as chief since 2011.

Friday morning Khatib said he is planning to retire in June, though he was unsure about his next move or whether he would stay in Lawrence.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he said. “I’m a big believer in constantly allowing for change to occur and I think we’ve got a lot of staff and internal people in the department that are energetic.”

“From a leadership perspective, it’s a good time to allow other people in the department to continue with the good work that we’ve done over the last seven years,” Khatib added.

Khatib said he is unsure who will replace him, noting the decision would fall to City Manager Tom Markus.

Markus, who has been in his post since March, said Khatib has “a lot of talent” and that the two will work together on the police department’s leadership transition in the coming months.

“I wish him the best and obviously we’ll be working together for another six months, so we’ll be making sure that the transition works well,” Markus said.

The news comes on the heels of proposals made Tuesday from the police department to increase citizen review of police complaints, acquire body cameras for officers, and break down data regarding police stops by race. Those proposals are still in draft, and will come back before the City Commission for additional review before being finalized.

In working with Khatib, Markus said the two have made progress.

“I enjoy working with the chief, and we certainly share our individual perspectives, and try to reach understanding and agreement on how to do things,” Markus said. “And I think we’ve done that successfully.”

Markus said that was evidenced by this week’s proposal.

“(We) have kind of jelled in terms of how we see issues confronting law enforcement and how to go about making adjustments,” Markus said. “And I think that is in part indicative of what was proposed with the Community Police Review Board, body cameras and (Disproportionate Minority Contact), and other things that, quite frankly, we’re working on.”

Markus said that the changes that are in the works will go forward regardless of the department’s leadership transition.

Khatib took over the department as interim chief after former-Chief Ron Olin stepped down in 2010. He served as interim chief from Sept. 2010 to February 2011 when then-City Manager David Corliss officially selected him for the position from a pool of 41 applicants from eight states.

Khatib was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and moved to the United States with his parents when he was 11. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Markus said his intention is to do a nationwide search to fill Khatib’s position.

“I appreciate the early notice because my intention would be to do a nationwide search, but I would expect both internal and external candidates to apply and be considered for the position,” Markus said. “I think a position of that prominence requires a nationwide process.”