OBSERVER Staff Report Longtime Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano is retiring.

Ortolano announced his retirement during an interview on WDOE radio on Tuesday morning. According to Dunkirk Councilperson Nancy Nichols, Mayor Kate Wdowiasz will make a proclamation at City Hall Friday thanking Ortolano for his service with the city.

Nichols said council members had not known he was going to retire.

Ortolano has been chief of police for the City of Dunkirk since February 2005. He has more than 37 years of experience with the Dunkirk Police Department, Nichols said.

In 1997, he was named the first patrol sergeant in department history. He was later promoted to lieutenant in 2000 and remained at that rank until his promotion to chief.