Long time Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert is retiring after more than 34 years.

"The decision to retire was difficult as it's been my life for a long time," Hiebert says.

"He has certainly filled huge shoes," Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says. "And made a huge transition from what the police force used to be when he became chief, to what it is today. It's remarkable."

Hired in 1983 Hiebert would go on to become Police Chief in 2000 and face a number of challenges including high officer turnover; at one point only four officers remained.

Hiebert saw plenty of changes during his tenure as chief, including the opening of a new police station and the creation of a K-9 Unit

Between 1964 and 2000 the Winkler Police Service lost on average an officer a year. Since becoming chief more than two dozen officers have been hired with virtually zero turnover. He recently saw the hiring of the city's first female officers.

His long successful career was also marked by the development of new programs like the K-9 unit.

In 2013 he was presented with a Diamond Jubilee Medal.

"He was committed to the service, he was committed to the community," Police Board Chair Henry Siemens says. "He did a terrific job... we're very thankful and we're certainly going to miss him."

Hiebert at the latest charity police bike auction

Hiebert gave the Police Board extended notice of his March retirement.

"I didn't want to leave the Police Service in a position where it would not have a chief in place for a period of time," he says.

Siemens explains along with Hiebert they've seen a total of three long time senior staffers retire in the last year, including a Sergeant Ray Friesen and Inspector Brad Kehler.

Friesen had more than 20 years of experience while Kehler spent more than 30 years with the service.

Moving forward the board plans to fill a Deputy Chief position who will serve under Hiebert until his retirement in March. At that time the Deputy will move into the Police Chief role.

Siemens notes they've identified potential candidates both inside and outside the police department.

"Our expectation is we'll have someone in place no later than September," he says.

This fall they'll restart the search for another deputy chief.

Despite the many changes, Siemens says the Winkler Police Service is in good hands.

Sergeant Ray Friesen retired earlier this spring

"We have a lot of 10 and 15-year members, most of our guys are career police members," Siemens says, adding many are born and raised in the community. He says they are confident of the continued high level of policing service.

Three new recruits, including WPS' first two female members, are expected to hit the streets in January.