DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Police Department is down to two finalists for its next chief following the retirement of Chief Dana Wingert.
DMPD Maj. Michael McTaggart, along with Cmdr. Joshua Wallace of the Bureau of Counterterrorism for the Chicago Police Department, will participate in on-site interviews next week. They were selected from a narrowed list of eight candidates.
It is expected that the new Chief of Police will be named in October.
Michael McTaggart
Currently a Major for DMPD, McTaggart oversees the Operations Division, which is noted as the largest division in the department.
- Began his law enforcement career as an officer with DMPD in 1999
- Was promoted to Sgt. in 2011 working in the Patrol Division, the Robbery/Homicide Section and the Intelligence Unit
- Promoted to Lt. in 2015
- Promoted to Cpt. in 2018 where he worked in the Patrol and Investigations Divisions
- Promoted to his current role as Mjr. in 2022
- Education: Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa
McTaggart has completed training at the Senior Management Institute for Police with the Police Executive Research Forum and the School of Police Staff & Command with Northwestern University.
Joshua Wallace
Currently a Commander of the Criminal Network Group at the Bureau of Counterterrorism for the Chicago Police Department.
- Was promoted to Patrol Sergeant with the Chicago Police Department in 2012
- Was assigned as a Supervising Sgt. for the Bureau of Organized Crime in the Narcotics Division in 2014
- Promoted to Lt. for the Bureau of Patrol in 2018, where he served as a Watch Operations Lt./Field Lt. and Tactical Lt.
- Promoted to District Cmdr. with the Bureau of Patrol in 2020
- Reassigned to his current role as Cmdr. of the Criminal Network Group at the Bureau of Counterterrorism in 2023
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Management from Calumet College of St. Joseph and a Master of Science in Administration of Justice & Security from the University of Phoenix
Wallace has completed training with the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police with the Police Executive Research Forum, and the School of Police Staff & Command at Northwestern University.
