SA Police Commissioner to retire in July

South Australia's Police Commissioner Gary Burns will retire in July at the end of his three year contract.

He has formally advised the government he will not seek an extension and on Friday emailed all police employees saying he had always intended retiring at the end of the contract.

Premier Jay Weatherill said Commissioner Burns had displayed extraordinary leadership, perhaps no better example than during the recent Sampson Flat bushfire in the Adelaide Hills.

"I look forward to working with the commissioner over the coming months, particularly on the important work of our response to domestic violence," he said.