It's official—after winning her suit against the federal government for the inappropriate removal from her job as the chief of the U.S. Park Police, Riverdale Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers will leave her job with town to return to her former position.

Chambers' last day will be Jan. 30.

Mayor Vernon Archer said Capt. Patrick Timmons will take over as interim police chief, while the town begins its search for a new police chief.

"Patrick Timmons is a great officer and we’ll do a good search to hire the right person," Archer said. "I have confidence in the department to work in a highly organized manner (following Chambers' departure)."

For Chambers, the plan always was to return to the U.S. Park Police if she won the case, but on Monday after officially resigning, she said it was still a bit surreal.

She said her time with a municipal police department has taught her a lot and reinforced her ideas about the dedication of community members.

"I hope they never lose the drive they have to be safe," Chambers said. "This is truly a community that cares."

"The police also care deeply about this community," she added.

In her time with the police department, Chambers had added speed cameras and applied and received grant money to fund various police initiatives.

"The mayor has put together a very strong team of senior staff, and he’s given us the freedom to work things out, bring ideas and solutions to them with the help of [Town Administrator] Sara Imhulse, [Public Works Director] Leonard Addison and Acting Chief Timmons. I can only see improvement," she said.

Councilman David Lingua (Ward 3) who chairs the public safety committee said he believes justice was served in Chamber's case.

"Like many, I am proud of Chief Chambers for standing her ground and wish her the best," Lingua said in an e-mail. "Riverdale Park has been very fortunate for her leadership of the department and service to the the town. It has been an honor to work with Chief Chambers."

Councilwoman Alice Ewen added that Chambers is "an outstanding professional and has been a great asset to the Town of Riverdale Park."

Ewen said under Chambers' direction, the town instituted new community-oriented policing strategies and become more data-driven in order to analyze criminal activity.

"What I admire most is her dedication to continuous learning," she said. "Our police and code enforcement officers have blossomed under her leadership — that's her greatest legacy and a lasting gift to our town."