BAXTER, Iowa (WHO) — Former police chief William Daggett is accused of billing two Iowa cities for work during the same hours on the same day, court records show.
Daggett, 48, was charged last week by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation after a 2025 state audit allegedly found he was knowingly paid tens of thousands of dollars for hours he did not work. Daggett was charged with First Degree Theft, a Class C Felony, and Felonious Misconduct in Office, a Class D Felony. He turned himself in in Clarke County on Thursday.
A criminal complaint alleges Daggett began working as Chief of Police for the City of Baxter on July 20, 2022, earning an hourly rate of $35.10 and qualifying for overtime pay at one-and-a-half times that rate. He remained in the position until January 5, 2024. During part of that time, Daggett also reportedly served as Chief of Police for the City of Van Meter.
William Daggett Criminal Complaint: Felonious Misconduct in OfficeDownloadWilliam Daggett Criminal Complaint: Theft in the 1st DegreeDownload
From July 20, 2022, through September 1, 2022, Daggett held both positions simultaneously. While working for Van Meter, he was a salaried employee with a gross annual income of $70,576.75…