Oxford police chief, the first female chief in city's history, resigns

Oxford's police chief has resigned.

Patricia Ford is stepping down after 29 years of service, city officials announced on Tuesday.

Ford was the first female captain and first female chief in the Oxford Police Department. The city celebrated her work and contributions to Oxford and women in law enforcement.

Twenty-nine years and three months in law enforcement is a very long time, and while tenure doesn't always equal experience, your experience shows. It shows in your officers, and it shows in how the department is run. I can't say it enough, the department does a phenomenal job, and you did a phenomenal job in what you do. We pray that our next chief will have a little bit of Pat Ford in them."

"I appreciate the support the entire board has given to the police department; it means a lot to me," Ford said.

Ford added that she "believes in standing at the bottom to lift everyone up."

The city has started the process of finding its next chief.