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Marion IDs 4 finalists for police chief vacancy
The position was most recently held by Mike Kitsmiller, who retired this spring.
Jun. 10, 2025 5:38 pm
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MARION — The city of Marion has identified four finalists to become the next leader of the Marion Police Department.
Finalists were announced Tuesday following a multi-month search completed in collaboration with recruitment firm MGT Impact Solutions to replace former Chief Mike Kitsmiller, who retired this spring after nearly five years with the department.
Finalists for the position include:
- Chad Nott, deputy chief at the Marion Police Department. Nott has served as interim chief since Kitsmiller’s retirement in April.
- Douglas Riniker, colonel and chief deputy at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
- Jeremy Sprague, lieutenant at the Des Moines Police Department.
- Schonella Stewart, commander at the Oak Park (Ill.) Police Department.
Interviews are expected to take place in July, and a community open house will be scheduled to allow residents to meet the candidates. Candidates’ resumes and additional information will be released prior to the city’s Civil Service Commission meeting on July 1.
Kitsmiller announced his intent to retire in February, although he worked with the city prior to his public announcement to allow time for city staff to hire a recruitment firm to help identify his successor.
He was first hired in 2019 to be chief by then-City Manager Lon Pluckhahn to oversee the department with 45 sworn officers and 15 civilian employees. At the time of his retirement, he had 38 years of law enforcement experience including past positions with the Memphis Police Department and the FBI.
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