Winnipeg's deputy chief of police Menno Zacharias has resigned, CBC News has confirmed.

The city's acting chief administrative officer, Alex Robinson, sent a note to councillors around 6 p.m. Tuesday indicating Zacharias had left the police service effective Tuesday.

Coun. Dan Vandal told CBC News the note was brief and came as a surprise.

"It goes on to say that, 'I wish to thank Menno for his 34 years of service to the City of Winnipeg and the citizens we serve,' and that's the end of the communication," he said.

"It's very abrupt. There's no explanation," he added. He would not speculate about the reason for the resignation.

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz publicly thanked Zacharias Wednesday for his years of service, noting that he had worked closely with the deputy chief to introduce CrimeStat, a computer program that tracks crime in the city.

"On a personal note, Menno Zacharias was very instrumental in setting up CrimeStat, was a major ally and help to make that a reality, believed in it," the mayor said. "I personally thank him for that, and I wish him all the best in his future."

Katz said he could not address the reasons behind the resignation but noted that Zacharias had career goals, including becoming police chief.

Zacharias was in the running for police chief, a job given to Keith McCaskill, who took over in December.

Zacharias and fellow Deputy Chief Doug Webster shared the position of acting police chief during the period of time between McCaskill's swearing-in and the departure of former chief Jack Ewatski, who retired last June.

McCaskill issued a statement late Wednesday morning in which he praised Zacharias for his professionalism and dedication to serving the people of Winnipeg.