ALBANY, Ga. -- James Younger, who took over an Albany Police Department riddled with vacancies and plagued by scandal three years ago, has tendered his resignation to city officials.

Albany City Manager Alfred Lott said Thursday the resignation came voluntarily, gave no reason and won't be effective until January.

"He made a personal choice to resign which is obvious that's about all I can comment, I can't tell you what's in his head or what his decision making process was," City Manager Alfred Lott told WALB-TV.

During his tenure, city officials said Younger brought the department up to full staffing levels, increased public relations training for officers and realigned beat structure to cut response time and increase effectiveness.

Younger had no comment, with all calls being referred to city hall.

Lott said one of the department's three deputy chiefs would likely be named interim chief while the city searches for a new top police officer.