WESTPORT — Facing the retirement of Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Deputy Police Chief Sam Arciola, the town has opted to engage them as long-term consultants to keep them on the force.

“I have had offers to go to other towns both in and out of Connecticut, (but) I have never seen myself doing this job and not wearing a Westport police uniform,” said Koskinas, a Staples High School graduate who grew up in town from age nine and joined the force in January, 1996.

Still, he said, the financial demands of two daughters in college and full-pension eligibility this year were motivating him to pursue other opportunities in the private sector separate of law enforcement.

“In order to assure continuity of leadership in the WPD, and to further prepare the department for their ultimate departure, Chief Koskinas will enter into a three-year employment contract,” First Selectman Jim Marpe said in a press release Monday afternoon, “and Deputy Chief Arciola will be retained under a similar agreement until December 31, 2022.”

Marpe said that as this was a “sensitive time” regarding police accountability both nationally and locally, a full change of leadership would create a disruption that could adversely impact the community.

He said other members of the force are “well on their way” to stepping into their respective leadership roles, but that additional time is required “to develop the full range of skills and community relationships to be successful as the department’s senior leaders.”

Arciola, a Westport native, began with the department in May, 1990.

“While there may have been an option to hire interim chiefs,” Marpe said, “we would immediately lose the depth of knowledge, experience and relationships that Foti and Sam possess.”

According to Gary Conrad, Westport’s finance director, the combined contract changes will represent a projected savings of $250,000 over the next three years.

“Chief Koskinas will be retiring (Sept. 30, 2021) with a pension of $115,182 annually and will be rehired as chief under contract for three years at a salary of $175,000,” Conrad said. “He will no longer be entitled to health or dental benefits, as they are part of the post-retirement benefits for retired officers.”

Likewise, he said, Arciola will be receiving a pension of $127,121 and will be rehired for one year at $160,600, and will no longer be entitled to health or dental benefits.

“The first-year savings is projected to be $122,896,” he said, with $64,038 in each of the next two years.