The retirement of Col. Marco Palombo Jr. as the city’s police chief was accepted by the City Council on Monday.

Palombo’s retirement request was submitted immediately after the chief was reinstated from paid administrative leave on St. Patrick’s Day. Mayor Allan Fung had placed the chief on leave in January as Rhode Island State Police were asked to investigate allegations of retaliatory ticketing and conduct a broader review of the city’s Police Department.

Palombo served for nearly three decades and was appointed chief in 2009. In a statement regarding his resignation, he cited a desire to pursue other opportunities, outlined numerous accomplishments made during his tenure and praised the men and women of the department for their efforts.

Multiple council members spoke highly of Palombo.

“I’d like to thank the colonel for his years of loyal service,” said Councilman Michael Farina.

“[Palombo] did achieve a great many things,” said Councilman Michael Favicchio. “Sometimes, jobs end…but that doesn’t reflect on his work. I think he did a good job and that we should wish him well.”

Councilman Donald Botts noted that under Palombo’s leadership, the police department received state and national accreditation. He praised the now former chief for his “valued service to the community.”

Council President John Lanni said he had known Palombo to be an “honorable person” in their dealings.

“I still believe he was an honorable person,” he said. “I wish him, his wife and his family the best in their retirement.”

Lanni later in the meeting addressed the situation surrounding the police department more broadly and called for more information to be shared regarding the ongoing investigation and review.

“We’re going through a very difficult time…I know this council has received no information whatsoever from anybody,” he said. “It bothers me that the representatives of the citizens of Cranston are being left in the dark.”

Saying he believes “99 percent of the officers are doing a great job” and were not tied to the alleged retaliatory ticketing, Lanni likened the protections of the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights to “witness protection.”

“My only hope is that, going forward, we can put this all behind us,” he said.

State Police Captain Kevin Barry is serving as Cranston’s chief on an interim basis. Fung last week said a search for Palombo’s successor would begin immediately.