FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine is leaving to become chief of the U.S. Capitol Police in Washington.

Frederick Mayor Randy McClement announced Dine’s resignation Wednesday.

Dine has been Frederick’s police chief for 10 years. He was with the Washington Metropolitan Police Department for 27 years before that.

He takes over in mid-December as chief of the U.S. Capitol Police. The federal law enforcement agency protects congressional property, members of Congress and their families.

Dine succeeds Phillip Morse, who retired in May.

During Dine’s tenure in Frederick, his department helped the FBI investigate the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings.

McClement credited Dine with reducing the city’s crime rate, improving community relations and expanding the department’s use of technology.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)