Old Lyme — Trooper First Class Gary Inglis, the town's resident state trooper since 2011, said he plans to return to Troop F in Westbrook as a patrol trooper.

Inglis, who has served as a state trooper for 20 years and was an Old Lyme constable before joining the state police, will remain with the town until a new resident state trooper is found.

Inglis, who is eligible to retire next month, said he requested to return to Troop F patrol to avoid hamstringing the town by being there one day and leaving the next, if he does decide to retire. He wants to instead allow a turnover period so a new resident state trooper has the chance to get acclimated.

"I've enjoyed my time here, but it's time to pass the torch, and this is the most opportune time to do that when it's not as hectic as it has been in the summer," he said in an interview last week. "The summer months typically bring an influx of people to the small area of Sound View Beach.

"I liked working with the first selectwoman. We have a great working relationship. I enjoyed working with the town officers and just going out there and doing our jobs," he said.

Inglis also has served as a school resource officer for the Old Lyme, Valley Regional, Westbrook and Haddam-Killingworth schools.

"We have appreciated his service here in Old Lyme," First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said. "He always had the best interest of Old Lyme at heart."

Reemsnyder said she and Inglis worked well together, particularly in the last year, when the town's police force was reduced. The town had hired a second resident trooper for the summer months, after two of the town's six police officers resigned.

"He really stepped up to the plate and really worked hard on behalf of the people," she said about Inglis.

The state police has set a due date of Jan. 20 for applications for the resident trooper position, she said.  

k.drelich@theday.com