DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Mayor Dave Bing announced at a press conference Monday that Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee submitted a sudden letter of retirement following claims the city’s police chief was involved in a relationship with a subordinate.

Bing made it clear Monday Godbee wasn’t fired, saying leaving was his own decision. But he did support Godbee’s decision.

Bing added Godbee apologized for “letting him down.”

“I got to know Chief Godbee well over his tenure and respected him as a person who was very involved in our community, respected in our community,” Bing said. “It bothers me, it hurts me a great deal that it has come to this. I worry about him as a person and hope that he is able to get on with his life.”

In his retirement letter, Godbee touted his 25-year career, never mentioning the scandal that ensnared him at the end.

“As many of you know, retirement is only another way to say transition,” Godbee wrote. “I always will be actively engaged in our community, our school system, our community colleges and our churches. My mission is to continue to work hard to make this city the best it can be.”

Bing suspended Godbee for 30 days from his $140,400-a-year post on Tuesday after a lawyer for internal affairs officer Angelica Robinson revealed the two had been involved in a sexual relationship.

Angelica Robinson’s attorney, David Robinson (no relation), stated that his client was trying to cut off the relationship and that Godbee “didn’t like that.”

David Robinson said Godbee had other officers locate 37-year-old Angelica Robinson and put her under surveillance after she posted a photo on Twitter that showed her with her service weapon in her mouth. Angelica Robinson, who is married, allegedly took the photo after becoming irate when Godbee, who is currently in the process of divorcing his wife, went to a police conference in California with another woman.

The mayor hired Godbee two years ago after firing his predecessor Warren Evans, in part because of similar charges involving a subordinate, Lt. Monique Patterson.

Godbee also had a romantic relationship with Patterson before she began dating Evans and when she was Godbee’s subordinate.

The relationship between Godbee and Patterson was made public after Godbee was named interim chief. Bing subsequently issued a statement insisting he wouldn’t fire Godbee for having an affair with a subordinate.

MORE: Detroit Police Chief Won’t Discuss His Suspension

Detroit Police Say Godbee Is Not Resigning

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Detroit Police Chief Suspended Amid Allegations Of Improper Relationship

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