Outgoing Toronto Police Deputy Chief Peter Sloly says he does not regret publicly criticizing the doctrine and growing budget of the police last month and that those comments did not motivate his decision to leave.

“I’m leaving on my own terms. There’s a big wide world out there,” he told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

Sloly, 49, signed a retirement deal Tuesday morning after nearly 27 years on the force, sources confirmed to CP24.

According to the sources, Sloly first approached the police board in November to express his interest in retiring.

Sloly recently raised eyebrows with comments that openly criticized the city’s current policing regime, saying that the force wastes money on infrastructure and that it could likely get by with hundreds fewer officers.

“They were the same statements I have been making for the last six and a half years,” Sloly said of his remarks. “They’re only controversial because I’m assuming people wanted to editorialize those statements and then it came on the same time that the budget was being presented at city hall.”

He went on vacation almost immediately after the comments, though Chief Mark Saunders said Sloly had not been disciplined by the police board because of the remarks and that his vacation was unconnected.

“I think one of the most important things for a police officer or a public servant is to answer honestly, credibly, to give the young people the information to assess where things are in their lives and where things are going in the future and I did just that,” Sloly said.

“I wouldn’t change a single word again.”

Sloly was a contender to replace former police chief Bill Blair last year, however the board eventually chose Saunders for the job. Sloly said he waited to leave until the service had time to adjust to a new leader.

“I wanted to stay with this organization and continue to support to the best of my ability for as long as I could but the time is right now, the time is right for me.”

Sources told CP24 that Sloly’s retirement was voluntary and that he was not forced out.

In its statement, the police board noted Sloly’s “27 years of distinguished service.”

“Peter Sloly leaves the service as a highly respected leader, who has been recognized for his excellence within the broader international policing community and celebrated by the public for his dedication to community policing,” TPS board chair Andy Pringle said in the statement. “The board would like to convey its thanks to Deputy Chief Sloly for his outstanding leadership and dedication over the course of his distinguished career.”

Reacting to the resignation, Mayor John Tory told CP24 he wishes Sloly the best.

“I wish him well he’s made a contribution to policing over his career and I wish him well in his endeavors,” Tory said.

Speaking with CP24 Wednesday night, Chief Mark Saunders described Sloly as a pioneer of policing.

“Deputy Sloly served (the) Toronto Police Service for 27 years and did a fantastic job,” Saunders said.

“I had a conversation with him and wished him luck in all his future endeavors.”

Sloly’s contract was slated to expire in 2017.

His retirement takes effect today. Sloly said he has no plans for the future yet.

“I’m going to be unemployed tomorrow and sleep in and drive my daughter to school and play with my son in a way I haven’t done in a very long time and probably have a very good date with my wife on Valentine’s Day,” he said.

Most recently Sloly was in charge of the Operational Support Command. There was no immediate word on who might take over his role.

Though he said offers for other roles have come out of the woodwork, but he said he doesn’t know what he will do next.

“They’re recruiting me from all over the place but the ones I have said no to are police services,” Sloly said.

Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack called Sloly "an effective manager."

"We both wanted what was best for the police service from different angles," McCormack said.

He added that the police service will continue to work on adjusting to future demands and budgetary constraints even without Sloly, who was considered a proponent of change within the service.

"This whole notion that he was a champion of transformation and without Peter Sloly the police service will be floundering, that's just not true."

According to the Toronto police website, Sloly was a member of the Canadian National Soccer Team and played soccer professionally before joining the force.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

When asked about the end of the controversial practice of carding, which will soon be heavily restricted by new provincial regulation, Sloly said he’s not yet comfortable with how legislation regulates the practice.