4 Finalists For West Des Moines Police Chief Will Be Interviewed On Wednesday

WEST DES MOINES, IA — One of four law enforcement officers serving departments in Iowa will be the next police chief in West Des Moines. Finalists have been named in the search, which began when Chief Shaun LaDue resigned nearly a year ago.

The Des Moines Register reported that the finalists for the position are:

• Jeff Brinkley, police chief in Mason City
• David Ness, a captain with the Des Moines Police Department
• Travis Ouverson, a captain with the West Des Moines Police Deoartment
• Chris Scott, a lieutenant in the Des Moines Police Department

LaDue was West Des Moines' chief for four years and during his tenure the department lost more than 30 percent of its officers. He ultimately resigned at the request of city leaders in the midst of a sexual discrimination lawsuit brought by a former sergeant in the department, Tanya Zaglauer Schmell.

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The city settled with Schmell and its insurance carrier paid out $1.9 million. Two earlier lawsuits brought by women in the department during LaDue's tenure were settled before going to trial.

The finalists — narrowed from a pool of 21 applicants and 10 interviews — will be interviewed Wednesday, the Register reported. City Manager Tom Hadden, three police department employees, two city council members and a West Des Moines school district administrator will conduct the interviews.

Patch file photo