A letter addressed to members of the Elkhart Police Department indicates that Elkhart Police Chief Ed Windbigler has resigned his position at the request of Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese.

On Monday, Dec. 10, 95.3 MNC was sent what appeared to be a letter written and signed by Windbigler announcing his resignation. Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese confirmed Windbigler’s resignation in a statement sent to 95.3 MNC:

Mayor Tim Neese has announced Ed Windbigler’s resignation as chief of the Elkhart Police Department. Windbigler resigned at the request of the Mayor. His resignation is effective Dec. 10. Windbigler served as the Police Department’s Chief for approximately three years after being appointed by Mayor Neese in January 2016.

“This was a difficult decision, and after much consideration, I have decided to seek new leadership of the Elkhart Police Department,” Neese said. “I appreciate Ed’s service to the Police Department and our community, and I wish him the very best.”

Assistant Chief Todd Thayer will continue serving as the interim chief until a replacement has been selected.

Windbigler had been on suspension in the wake of a video showing images of two Elkhart Police Officers beating a handcuffed suspect back in January.

On Monday, Windbigler had, once again, become the subject of certain scrutiny as members of the Police Merit Commission approved the promotion of Cpl. Brandan Roundtree from police officer to detective, despite his conviction in Hamilton County on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge, according to 95.3 MNC’s reporting partners at The Elkhart Truth.

Roundtree had previously promoted to detective, by the department, although the commission was not notified as required, The Elkhart Truth reported.