Head of state police to retire

(WWLP) - The head of the Massachusetts State Police is retiring, three years after he took over the force.

Col. Mark Delaney says that the time was right to move on, though it was the most difficult decision he had ever made.

Spokesman David Procopio said the 56-year-old Delaney also told his command staff that he had been considering retirement for several months, but stayed on to see the department through difficult fiscal times.

Delaney was appointed in 2006 by former Gov. Mitt Romney.

Gov. Deval Patrick will chose Delaney's successor.