After two and a half years as the University of Mississippi Police Department’s chief of police, Tim Potts is going back home to Indiana to be closer to his family.

Potts, 52, told the EAGLE Monday that he will be leaving Ole Miss this week.

“I have accepted a chief of police position at Purdue Fort Wayne in Indiana,” Potts said.

Potts started his position as chief of police at UPD in July 2015 after moving from Indiana, where he worked at Purdue University Police Department for 18 years, reaching the rank of captain before coming to Ole Miss.

He says he’s enjoyed his time at Ole Miss and his decision to leave was based solely on wanting to be closer to family, in particular, his daughter, Haley.

“I appreciate the trust the University bestowed on me with this position,” Potts said. “I will miss the great team I have been fortunate to work with, but time waits for no one – and I need to be closer to family.”

The university has not yet hired a new chief of police and is currently accepting applications for the position.