Urbandale Names New Police Chief

URBANDALE, IA — The next police chief in Urbandale will come from within the department, City Manager A.J. Johnson announced today. Captain Rob Johansen, who has served the department more than 24 years, has been appointed to the position.

Johansen is currently the patrol captain for the department. In the course of his career he has led a large contingent of police officers, developed positive working relationships with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, responded effectively to crisis situations and maintained positive relationships with the community, Johnson noted.

Johansen earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a master’s degree in public administration from Iowa State University. He was a graduate of the 241st session of the FBI National Academy program at Quantico, Va.

Johnson said he believes Johansen "is well prepared to step into the position and continue to lead one of the finest police departments in the nation.” He begins the job immediately.

He succeeds Ross McCarty, who announced earlier this year he would retire in December. In September, Johnson laid out his plans to conduct a search for the next chief of police. Captains within the department have been filling the role in the interim.

“We had been utilizing a rotating organizational structure of interim chiefs until an appointment could be made,” Johnson said. “I am grateful for the leadership of Urbandale Police Captains Dave Disney, Rob Johansen, Kent Knopf and Matt Logsdon over the past several months. They provided needed stability during the transition and have positioned the department for a successful transition under Chief Johansen.”

Photo provided by City of Urbandale