PORTLAND — Police Chief Michael Sauschuck will become an assistant city manager, the city announced Thursday morning.

His salary will be $140,000 annually.

The city’s management team now includes City Manager Jon Jennings, Sauschuck, and Mona Bector, who was recently hired as the other assistant city manager.

Sauschuck’s last day with the Police Department will be July 20 and his first day on the job at City Hall will be Aug. 6, according to Jessica Grondin, the city’s director of communications.

She said Assistant Police Chief Vern Malloch will become the interim chief of police.

Sauschuck has been police chief since 2012 and has been with the Police Department since 1997. In 2015, he also served a stint as acting city manager.

Accepting the post of assistant city manager has “been an incredibly difficult decision,” he said in the press release, particularly after more than 20 years of serving with the Police Department.

However, Sauschuck said, “I am excited to work alongside Jon and Mona as we meet and conquer new challenges on behalf of our residents.”

In the prepared statement, Jennings said the city “has been extremely fortunate to have had Mike Sauschuck serving our community for more than 20 years, including the last six as chief of police, and I’m delighted to have him on board in this new leadership role.

“Mike’s outstanding leadership and management skills will help us continue making municipal government more streamlined and efficient, setting us up for future successes.”

Sauschuck served in the U.S. Marines before joining the Police Department, where he has also served on the crisis intervention team, the weapons of mass destruction team, and as a field training officer.

He was named commander of the department in 2009 and assistant chief in 2010 before becoming chief in 2012.

Sauschuck