After three years of service as police chief and 30 years on the Alton Police Department, Chief David Hayes has resigned.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my hometown on the Alton Police Department," Hayes said in a released statement. "I am very grateful to all of the people that I have worked with over the years and I look forward to the next chapter of my career."

Hayes has accepted an assistant director position with the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission. His last day of work with the city of Alton is Dec. 31.

During his tenure as police chief, Hayes was recognized with a Law Enforcement Award by St. Louis Major Case Squad in 2010, the Liberty Bell Award by the Madison County Bar Association in 2011, and the Law Enforcement Award by the Illinois State Bar Association in 2012.