Des Moines’ five police chief candidates met at a public meet and greet reception on Monday, May 21.

The city held an open, casual reception at the Des Moines Activity Center as a way to introduce the candidates to the community and also get feedback from anyone who wished to fill out the form that was available at the event.

Although turnout was light, the candidates spoke openly with those that were there and discussed their plans and ideas for the police department if they are chosen as the police chief.

“It has been a revealing process,“ Vic Pennington said about the candidate interview process. Pennington, deputy chief of the South King Fire & Rescue, was on one of the review panels and had an opportunity to meet with each of the potential police chiefs.

“It’s a great group of candidates with great qualifications,” Pennington added.

The candidates went through several reviews and interviews with many different city leaders and staff members before coming to this point.

The candidates also had a chance to review the Police Department’s MATRIX report. The MATRIX report is a review of the department’s activities, efficiency and functions and was issued late last year. The candidates all recognized the resources issue and economic cuts the department is currently dealing with.

With resources and money issues the main subject on the floor, candidate John Dyer, of Oak Harbor, said he would focus on continuing to provide great service to the community with what is available. He also mentioned the appeal of being able to continue to live by the waterfront and acknowledged Des Moines’ economic potential and growth that may be coming in the near future.

Stephen MacKinnon said, “Do the right thing,” is something he said in Santa Paula, CA as their police chief and intends to use it here if chosen. He said accountability is important and noticed the lack of it was a common complaint in staff surveys within the Des Moines Police Department.

George Delgado, a candidate from Vancouver, WA, had an opportunity to meet with the city staff and said he feels good about the people he could be working with.

“They seem to have a strong sense of commitment to the community,” Delgado said. He also thinks if he is chosen his affiliation and membership in the FBI National Academy (FBINA) will give him an edge through the local relationships he already has from it. The FBINA is a national organization directed at giving expert law enforcement training, education and leadership skills.

“I enable people to do their best,” Delgado added.

There were other concerns for the city among the group officers.

Candidate Charlie Dennis of Page, AZ, said while touring the city one young woman told him prostitution was the city’s biggest problem.

“I’m a fixer, I’m a thinker,” Dennis said. He wants to find new approaches to old problems and bring awareness them.

“The employee survey is concerning,” said candidate Christopher Shawkey. However he thinks the Des Moines offers a great quality of life and would definitely consider retiring here.

With Interim Police Chief John O’Leary’s retirement quickly approaching Mayor Dave Kaplan said the decision of who will be the city’s next police chief will come quickly.

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