Michael McTaggart named Des Moines’ next Police Chief

DES MOINES, Iowa — With a unanimous vote on Wednesday the Des Moines City Council named Michael McTaggart as Des Moines’ next Police Chief.

McTaggart has been with the DMPD for 25 years, spending time in the patrol division, robbery/homicide section, intelligence unit, and the investigations division. In 2022 he became a major overseeing the operations division. McTaggart has also been credited with implementing the C.A.R.E and Mobile Crisis Response Team and leading the downtown safety plan.

“It’s with great excitement that I look forward to serving as the next Chief of Police for the Des Moines Police Department,” McTaggart said in a statement. “During my career, the DMPD has changed in numerous ways for the better and I’m looking forward to continuing the progress of improving our law enforcement practices, relationship with the community and recruiting and promotion efforts.”

“Michael McTaggart stood out as a candidate not only for his achievements, but also for the relationships he has built in our community over the past 25 years,” City Manager Scott Sanders said. “Chief McTaggart will have big shoes to fill in his new role and I have the utmost confidence that he will be able to rise to the challenge.”

McTaggart will be the department’s 45th police chief. The DMPD said that Sanders will now work on finalizing details for the transition from Chief Wingert to Chief McTaggart over the next month.

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