Mike Buchan has resigned as Brooklet's police chief, and town council members intend to start a search for his replacement soon.

Brooklet police Sgt. Tracy Atkinson has been appointed interim chief and will lead the department until the chief's position is filled, said Greg Schlierf, a Brooklet city councilman and spokesman for the police department.

In a statement released Thursday to the Statesboro Herald, Schlierf said: "Chief Mike Buchan and the City of Brooklet have had a long and mutually beneficial employment relationship. Though differences arose, they have drawn upon the strength of that relationship to bring all matters between them to a favorable and mutually agreeable conclusion whereby Chief Mike Buchan has resigned his position with the City of Brooklet."

Schlierf said terms and conditions of Buchan's resignation are sealed upon "mutual agreement" between the city and Buchan. Buchan was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

The Brooklet Police Department has been under scrutiny, with council members expressing a desire earlier this year to disband the 106-year-old department. Public meetings about the matter drew standing-room-only crowds to the Brooklet City Hall, where numerous citizens voiced opposition to the suggested move.

During a meeting in March, where Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson and Chief Deputy Jared Akins gave a presentation on what services their department could offer the city and what it would cost, council members voted to keep the department. The presentation followed a proposal solicited by council members who said they were looking into the idea as a cost-savings measure.

Schlierf did not say whether Buchan's resignation is linked to the issue.

"The city wishes him the best in his future endeavors ... An extensive search process (to fill the chief's position) will begin in the next few weeks, with the hopes of having a full time chief on board during the early part of 2015," Schlierf said.

Brooklet residents will have opportunities to participate in citywide forums regarding the search, he said.

"The city will have no further comment on the resignation of Chief Buchan," Schlierf said.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.