Fishers Police Chief Mitch Thompson has submitted a letter to Mayor Scott Fadness dated today, saying he will “voluntarily relinquish” his role as Fishers Police Chief.  Thompson says he deeply regrets the need to take this action, but calls it “an important first step in taking responsibility for my actions.”

“As a result of the events from this past weekend, I recognize that I am no longer able to effectively lead the agency that I love,” Thompson wrote in his letter to the mayor.

Thompson offered an apology to the members of his department and to the citizens of Fishers for “failing to meet the professional standards that I try to set for myself.”  He plans to cooperate in the administrative probe into his actions.

Mayor Fadness issued a statement sent in tandem with Thompson’s letter, which reads as follows:

Today, Chief Thompson and I met and both agree that he must step down as Chief of Police, effective immediately. The events that transpired Friday evening regarding the motor vehicle accident that Chief Thompson was involved in has made his position of leadership untenable. In the coming days, Officer Thompson will be subjected to the statutory disciplinary process afforded public safety personnel under the Merit Commission. It is my expectation that this process will be professional, transparent, and judicious. Please keep the victims of the accident as well as our police department in your thoughts and prayers as we move forward.

Former Chief Thompson was arrested by IMPD Friday night south of 96th Street on Keystone Avenue, after the IMOD report said Thompson rear-ended a vehicle, resulting in a 3-car accident.  The same police report said Thompson’s blood alcohol level was .126 at the time.