Two finalists have been named for Des Moines Police Department’s next police chief, according to a news release. City officials have narrowed down the candidate pool from eight to now just two — Michael McTaggart and Joshua Wallace.
McTaggart has been with the Des Moines Police Department since 1999 where he has served as a police officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain, according to his LinkedIn profile . He is currently a major who oversees the operations division, which includes patrol, SWAT, and the Mobile Crisis Response team, the profile states.
Wallace is a commander with the Chicago Police Department.
The search for a new police chief began earlier this year after Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert announced his retirement, which will officially take place once his successor is selected, the news release stated.
“Chief Wingert has served the Des Moines community for years, and his retirement marks a significant transition for the city,” the release stated.
A group of community stakeholders will participate in the interview process and provide feedback. The new police chief is expected to be named in October.