WASHINGTON (AP) — Embattled District of Columbia Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe announced Thursday that he will step down in July after three years marked by complaints of poor service and staffing shortages in the department.

The fire department announced Ellerbe, 54, has submitted paperwork to retire. In interviews Wednesday, Ellerbe said he is not being forced out but that it became clear he would not be able to stay in his job through year’s end after Mayor Vincent Gray lost his bid for re-election. Ellerbe will leave July 2.