GULFPORT — Deputy Police Chief Alfred Sexton is retiring from the city police force after 24 years to become director of security for a casino in Biloxi.

Sexton, 42, announced his plans Wednesday, a day after his retirement took effect. Police Chief Alan Weatherford announced he has picked Cmdr. Leonard Papania to fill the vacancy.

Sexton, a Gulfport native, said he has accepted a position with the IP.

“My family and I are blessed that I can enjoy a retirement package that allows me to start a new but related career in the private sector,” Sexton said. “I’ve spent more than half my life at the Gulfport Police Department and I will miss all the people that work here but this is a tremendous opportunity for me.”

Sexton joined the agency as a dispatcher in 1985 and moved to patrol in 1991. He earned a master’s degree in the administration of criminal justice as he worked his way up the ranks. He attained the highest promoted rank of captain and was appointed deputy chief, second in command, on Feb. 7, 2006.

The police chief, who joined the force around the same time as Sexton, called him “a dedicated police officer and a very close friend.”

“He will be deeply missed,” Weatherford said.

City officials would not disclose the salary for deputy chief on Wednesday. The Sun Herald filed a public records request for the information.

George Schloegel, who takes office as mayor on Monday, said in a news release that the opportunity is too good for Sexton to pass up. Schloegel said he’s glad to hear Sexton will continue his work with city youth programs.

Sexton started the department’s Explorer program for youths 20 years ago. He developed after-school and summer programs for youths and groups such as the Police Athletic League. The governor’s office recognized the department in 2001 for having the best youth-based programs of any police agency in the state.

Sexton expanded the agency’s School Resource and Community Relations divisions and developed a media relations program. He was the first police public information officer in South Mississippi.

Sexton left the department for a few weeks in 2004 to serve as director of security for the Gulfport School District. In January, he was among eight finalists in a nationwide search for a police chief in Urbandale, Iowa.

Sexton said the position at the IP will allow him and his family to remain on the Coast. He and his wife have four children, one grandchild and another on the way.

Weatherford said he will officially name Papania as deputy chief at the City Council meeting next week.

Papania is commander of operations. His background includes tactical entry, street-level criminal interdiction, investigations and narcotics with assignments as a state and federal drug task force agent.