Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews privately has informed city council that he intends to resign once the city is no longer threatened by a serial arsonist who has terrorized the city and neighboring municipalities.

Multiple sources have told the ChesterCountyReporter.com that Matthews privately informed council members that he wants to step down. They said it is likely that Lt. Julius Canale will be named police chief once Matthews resigned. However, council must approve any appointment.

"I am not interested in leaving the city during this emergency," Matthews said when asked if he had informed council of his intent to resign. "I don't like talking about things I talk to council about."

Matthews described any conversation about his employment a "personnel matter." He added that he has always been candid with council.

Matthews contract expires in May. His contract was recently extended to allow him time to seek state certification. He has claimed a non-disclosed illness prevented him from taking the physical part of of the certification.

Matthews found himself embroiled in controversy almost from the start. He was faced with dwindling city revenues that forced him to consider laying off city police officers. Although no officers were laid off, the threat caused 15 veteran police officers to either retire or seek employment with other police departments.

Matthews replaced Dom Bellizzie who resigned in 2006 who said at the time he didn't trust the incoming council members quickly labeled as the Bloc of Four. Canale served as interim police chief until a Matthews was hired

Council Member Kurt Schenk has remained Matthews' staunchest supporter. He has argued Matthews' failure to get state certification was not as important as his administrative skills. "He wrote the book on police administration that is being used all over the country," Schenk said recently.

But, it did matter to District Attorney Joe Carroll who repeatedly has called for Matthews' resignation. Yet, the two have worked together on several murder investigations and the recent spree of arsons. "Whenever, I've asked for anything Joe Carroll was there," Matthews said during an outreach meeting held during the summer in the city's Fifth Ward.

Prior to coming to Coatesville, Matthews was deputy director of the Police Foundation. He also helped found the Baltimore Housing Authority police force.