DES MOINES, Iowa — The tides are changing within the city of Des Moines and the Des Moines Police Department.
Local 5 has confirmed that longtime Police Chief Dana Wingert is planning to retire just as as City Manager Scott Sanders' resignation was rescinded.
Local 5 asked Mayor Connie Boesen, who was elected this past November, to clear up what's going on among the top ranks of the city's government and police forces.
"There is no disorganization, we're very complete. Our city manager was going to resign, he's rescinded that resignation. He has a team of assistant managers and we have some strong directors," Boesen said.
The city manager initially announced his resignation from the position in April, with plans to leave in the fall. Boesen cited Sanders' initial decision to resign as a personal matter.
"The idea of resigning was trying to get a better work-life balance," she told Local 5. "And we sat down and had some discussion on how we can do that."
The mayor shared that, after long conversations with Sanders, he chose to remain in his position.
During an interview about this decision with the Des Moines Register, Sanders shared the news of Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert's retirement after 30 years of service. Boesen said the decision has been in the making for some time.
Sgt. Paul Parizek, DMPD Public Information Officer, referred Local 5 to the City Communications department for comment since the announcement was made by Sanders.
"I think it has been in the works for a long time, and because I do have to announce sooner he is now officially, I guess," Boesen said. "Given he reports to Scott, so he's given Scott his letter of resignation, I believe."
Boesen claims that, although Sanders' announcement was the first many have heard of the chief's retirement, it has been addressed in public meetings before.
"People have been talking about it for a month. and I know some of his officers have announced it in a neighborhood meeting. So, I don't know what the official timeline is going to be. It's still a ways off," Boesen said.
Local 5 has not independently confirmed when these meetings happened. or what was said.
In an emailed statement on Thursday, the city said in part, “We will be sad to see Chief Wingert retire, but will take advantage of the next few months to celebrate his nearly decade long leadership. Chief Wingert has been a voice for pushing the Des Moines Police Department forward."
As for who will fill the chief's position, Boesen and the city will open the position to all candidates.
"I believe we're going to open it up to everyone. I think that's the right thing to do for a city our size, and we will see who the best candidate is. It could be an internal candidate, because I know we have some great officers, and or it could be somebody from the outside," Boesen said.
The Des Moines Police Department says on its website it employs 372 sworn officers and 104 civilian support personnel. Those are similar numbers to 2020, where the department listed 362 sworn officers and 103 civilian support personnel.