Wayland City Police Chief Steven Harper has indicated he will retire from law enforcement and will step down from his duties here by next February.

Harper, who will be concluding a six-year commitment as Wayland’s chief, has agreed to take a position as community impact pastor at his church, Chapel Pointe, in Hudsonville.

“It’s going to be fun, I’m looking forward to it,” Harper said Monday night at the City Council meeting. “It’s not really a retirement, it’s more like a change in career.

“I will miss Wayland. It’s been like family.”

Harper served as commander of the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police for three years before he took the chief’s job in Wayland in early 2013. He was on the force of the State Police for 26 years before retiring.

Harper was one of two finalists eight months ago for police chief at the City of Zeeland, but Eaton County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Jungel was hired.

City Manager Josh Eggleston told council members Monday night that posting of the job will be done this week, as well as that for police department secretary. He said he hopes to have a three-member panel of council members interview candidates Dec. 18 or 19.