Decision Near on West Des Moines Police Chief

Residents could know as early as this afternoon who will become the new . Four introduced themselves and mingled with community residents and city employees, many of them uniformed police officers, during a 90-minute reception at .

City Manager Greg Sparks said that if one candidate stands out as an obvious choice an offer may be extended yet today. If not, he thinks a decision will be reached within a week to fill the vacancy, created by the Feb. 1 retirement of Chief Jack O’Donnell.

The candidates will each spend a half hour with Mayor Steve Gaer, then  go before four different interview panels that include community leaders and residents, police department employees, department heads and command staff, and a panel made up of Mayor Steve Gaer, City Manager Greg Sparks and Human Resources Director Jane Pauba-Dodge.

What Qualities Are They Looking For?

Councilman Kevin Trevillyan said one of the candidates, who he declined to name, stands out in his mind as a clear frontrunner. He wants a chief who has worked his way through the department and “walked in the shoes of everyone.”

Other qualities he’s looking for in a police chief include the “ability to talk honestly and openly” with all officers, from command staff to patrol officers, an important ingredient in addressing morale problems that Trevillyan says exist in the department.

“The chief needs to listen to what everyone is telling them,”  said Trevillyan, who is part of one of the committees that will interview the four candidates. Councilman Russ Trimble is the other elected council member on that committee.

What qualities are you looking for in a police chief? Tell us below in comments.

Trevillyan warned against moving too quickly to extend an offer. The committees need time to share information, he said, and that could take up to two weeks.

Melvin O’Neal, a citizen who in 1961 helped start the West Des Moines police reserves, a state-trained cadre of volunteer officers who help the department out at community events and other times their resources are stretched thin, said it’s important for the new chief to settle into the job and not make radical changes without bringing veteran officers into the process.

He liked what he heard from the candidates.

“They’ve got good credentials,” he said. “I was impressed with all of them.”

Thirty-four persons applied for the job and interviews were conducted with half of them before officials arrived at their final four.

Who They Are and What They Said

Shaun LaDue, a 20-year veteran of law enforcement, including six years as Owatonna, MN police chief:

LaDue said he has “vision-inspired leadership” based on the principles of integrity, courage in decision-making, compassion toward people in both the general and police communities, and engagement and relationship-building in the community.

He said he has the business acumen to manage the department efficiently, and the “energy and drive” for public service.

“I have a true commitment to take this department to the next level,” LaDue said.

J.C. Paez, who has 27 years of public service beginning as a U.S. Marine Corps military police officer, and currently is a commander with Hoffman Estates Police Department in Illinois:

Paez said that when he entered law enforcement, one of his goals was to become a chief of police.

“I hope you will give me that opportunity,” he said, pledging to “leave the postion better than when I came into it,” a track record he said he’s established in previous jobs.

Alfonso Pizzano, who has 25 years’ law enforcement experience with the New York City Police Department and currently serves as a captain, providing oversight to 168 officers covering a population of 900,000:

“I like my job and I am good at it,” Pizzano said. “It takes more than knowing the law to enforce the law. Earning the respect and trust of the people I manage and those I serve.

“I place a high value on personal integrity,” he said.

Marti Reilly, a 31-year veteran of law enforcement, including the last two years as captain for the city of Sioux City,which has a population of 82,644:

Reilly said that if he’s selected, he said he will be a strong mentor for the department because he’s done many of the jobs of those he will supervise and understands what it takes to advance in law enforcement.

“The best way to move up is to not be happy with just one job,” he said. “Try to be as well-rounded as you can.”

He also noted the important role the police chief and other department heads play in a successful West Des Moines economic development approach. When recruiting companies to the city, it’s important for corporate executives to see all of its community leaders working together, he said.