WASHINGTON (AP) — Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn is retiring after 31 years with the agency.

The Washington Post reports that the 60-year-old Taborn announced his retirement Thursday. He’s served as chief since 2008.

Metro says it will conduct a national search for Taborn’s replacement. The outgoing chief plans to oversee operations on Inauguration Day and step down in the spring.

The agency has 500 officers who operate on Metro property in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Taborn oversaw the addition of 100 officers and worked with other agencies to reduce vehicle break-ins in Metro parking lots.

Crime at parking facilities is down 26 percent compared with last year. But aggravated assaults and burglaries are up about 7 percent.
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(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)