Temple Police Chief John Repetto suddenly resigned from the city Thursday afternoon due to unspecified reasons, according to city officials.

Temple Mayor Rick Ford said, following a meeting with the city’s attorney that began at 2 p.m., that Repetto submitted his resignation after serving the city as police chief for five years.

Ford said the reasons behind the resignation would not be released. “This is a personnel issue, and I can’t comment further,” he said.

Prior to Repetto’s resignation, Ford said the chief had been placed on leave.

“I was shocked,” the mayor said. “It is always tough losing an experienced department head.”

Assistant Police Chief Cliff Sanders will serve as interim chief and run the day-to-day operations at the police department while the city begins its process to find a new chief.

Ford said the city will immediately begin its search to fill the position and began Thursday drafting an advertisement to place in several publications to reach out to qualified candidates.

“I want someone with experience as a chief of police, and we will be looking for a strong administrator,” he said. “I would like to see someone in as police chief as soon as possible. We hope to have someone hired in a short time, but we want to be as thorough as possible. We will begin our interviews and narrow down candidates.”

While the city is advertising for its new chief outside of the Temple, Ford said any employees in the department can apply for the job.

Purchases made for the police department from $781,470.69 seized in August 2007 as suspected drug money came under scrutiny this year after purchases approved by the chief and city officials drained the account - leaving only $7,490.69 left in 18 months. A DUI/Command trailer, riot gear and 37/40 millimeter grenade launcher were listed as some of the items purchased with the drug money.

Repetto was hired in 2004 under former Mayor Lester Harmon. Ford said Repetto had previously worked as a police officer in the city of Doraville and Rockdale County.

During his time as chief, he implemented a domestic violence program funded through a grant and also helped rewrite the existing standard operating procedures. The city had three different police chiefs in three years prior to Repetto’s appointment.