Give Your Input During the Search Process
Just Voices believes this is a great opportunity to recruit a successor who will embrace the opportunity to implement the recommendations of two outside expert organizations who have submitted 69 recommendations that will transform the Des Moines Police Department into a model 21st Century department.
Contact City Leadership – Share Your Thoughts
Your voice matters in the search for a new Chief. What qualities are you looking for? Let the City Manager, the Mayor, and your City Council representative hear from you by phone or by email. Here’s their contact information:
- City Manager, Scott Sanders – 515-283-4141 – [email protected]
- Mayor Connie Boesen – (515) 283-4944 – [email protected]
- Chris Coleman – Ward 1 – (515) 202-8845 – [email protected]
- Linda Westergaard – Ward 2 – (515) 988-4288 – [email protected]
- Josh Mandelbaum – Ward 3 – (515) 250-3384 – [email protected]
- Joe Gatto – Ward 4 – (515) 402-2626 – (515) 402-2626
- Mike Simonson (at-large) – (515) 238-0874 – [email protected]
- Carl Voss (at-large) – (515) 210-0237 – [email protected]
Suggested Talking Points
At Just Voices Iowa, we believe the new Des Moines Police Chief should . . .
- Make development of a Strategic Plan a 1st year priority! The creation of the Strategic Plan should include community input, and focus on when and how to implement the 23 recommendations made by Public Works, LLC. and the 46 recommendations made by 21 CP Solutions. Should monitor and update the plan annually and get recurring input from the community about progress and impact.
- Should make community engagement intentional and a priority. Meet with any and all community groups, neighborhood associations, civic organizations and everyday residents to listen to our issues with policing; involve us in coming up with solutions. Rebuild trust, especially within the Black and Brown communities.
- Seek, analyze, share, and make decisions based on good, and complete, data.
- Expect to be held accountable by the City Manager, Council, and the public. In turn, he or she should foster a culture of accountability internally with his/her officers.
- Should be a visionary with integrity, flexibility, honesty, and a thick skin.
Please reach out soon while the city and the consultants are gathering community input.