By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro police chief Dan Kinning admits he will miss doing the work he’s always known and loved, but it’s time to hang up his holster.

“I’m definitely going to miss it,” he said. “I love this community and its people.”

He and his wife, Pat, will remain in the community, which has been home for 26 years — 22 of which he served as chief of police.

Before signing on with the Hillsboro police department, Kinning was undersheriff for 11 years. He worked part-time for the Marion police department for a year before that.

His last day as police chef was Sept. 30.

“There are a lot of reasons,” Kinning said. “My wife and I are both dealing with some medical issues, and I have been gone a lot.”

He’ll keep busy with a lot of projects that need doing and spending time with family.

Doing the job he loved often meant working long hours. Extra family time will be a pleasure.

Over the years, he’s seen awful things he’d “just as soon not talk about.”

But there were proud moments as well, such as graduating from the law enforcement training academy and being promoted to chief.

At 62, he’s not ready to leave working behind.

“I plan on going back to work somewhere,” he said. “Law enforcement is all I’ve done.”

Kinning said he was warned about moving to Hillsboro but was accepted by the community. Mayors, city administrators, and city council members have been good to him, he said.

“I really appreciate them giving me the chance,” Kinning said. “This has been a lifelong thing for me, and I’m really going to miss it.”

Kinning expects to see part-time officers added to the department, which already has five part-timers in addition to five full-time officers.

“They’re very important to this department,” Kinning said. “I’ve got a really good crew.”

Kinning said he’d like people to respect those in law enforcement and the law itself.

“We are a country of laws,” he said.