City accepts resignation of Sturgis Police chief

The Sturgis City Commission accepted the resignation of Public Safety Director Geoffrey Smith Wednesday evening following an off-duty OWI arrest.

The commission met in closed session to consider Geoffrey Smith's resignation.

Once returning to the open meeting, the commission accepted his resignation and approved his separation agreement.

As part of the agreement, Smith can purchase a year of service credit so he will be eligible to receive his pension benefit at his eligible retirement date, reports said.

Smith's resignation is effective August 26.

Smith was involved in a crash while off duty on August 16. As a result of the crash he was arrested on a preliminary charge of operating while intoxicated with a high blood alcohol content by the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department.