Berkow was hired as chief in 2006 and is leaving after less than three years on the job.

The chief held a news conference on Tuesday and said he is moving back to the West Coast to be closer to his son. He will remain in Savannah until mid-October.

Berkow will become president and CEO of a new division for international policing at Altegrity, a global security solutions and specialized law enforcement training company based in Falls Church, Va.

Earlier this year, Berkow traveled to the Cayman Islands as a candidate to be commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.