from www.sfgate.com – Palm Springs Police Chief David Dominguez says he’ll resign after criticism over his department’s handling of a sex sting operation.

Dominguez announced Wednesday that he’ll retire after three years in the job. He’s expected to step down in the next two weeks.

Dominguez tells The Palm Springs Desert Sun that it’s the right time, given debate over the 2009 operation in the Warm Sands neighborhood.

The desert city has a sizable homosexual population and Dominguez was criticized after he and other officers made offensive remarks during the crackdown on gay public sex, which ended with 19 arrests.

Dominguez apologized for the comments.

Dominguez is the third Palm Springs chief to retire since 2002.

Capt. Al Franz will serve as interim chief.