Iowa City police introduce new downtown liaison officer Colin Fowler

IOWA CITY - Business owners and visitors to Iowa City's downtown shouldn't expect big changes as Colin Fowler transitions into his new role as the Iowa City Police Department's downtown liaison officer.

Rather, Fowler said he hopes to continue the work that his predecessor, David Schwindt, did over the last four-and-a-half years in that position.

'He set the bar so high, I just want to do as good of a job as he's done,” Fowler said. 'Just continue his good work.”

Community members on Thursday got the opportunity to talk with Fowler and thank Schwindt during a meet-and-greet at the Iowa City Public Library. Community leaders offered words of praise for Schwindt's impact downtown, as well as excitement for what Fowler will bring to the position.

'(Schwindt) has been one of the most impactful endeavors the Iowa City Downtown District has ever taken on,” said Nancy Bird, executive director of Iowa City Downtown District, which pays a portion of the downtown liaison's salary. 'We're cleaner, we're safer. Generally, the environment is really positive. I attribute a lot of that to his work.”

Added Bird, 'We're excited to have Colin. ... We look forward to see what his working style is.”

The downtown liaison officer position was established in January 2013, with Schwindt being the first person to hold the title. The position was jointly funded by a federal law enforcement grant and the Downtown District. When the grant funding ran out, the police department continued with the position.

Schwindt said the goal of the position is to determine the root causes of issues downtown and come up with solutions to those issues, with an emphasis on community policing strategies. Schwindt had an almost immediate impact, working with the police department and federal partners to crack down on the sale of synthetic drugs in downtown businesses.

'That's probably the No. 1 issue I've worked on in my career where there's no doubt we've saved lives,” Schwindt said.

Schwindt said he's also proud of working with the chronically homeless population to build a relationship between them and the police.

While presenting Schwindt with a commendation recognizing his work downtown, Iowa City Police Chief Jody Matherly praised Schwindt's community policing approach.

'He's affected so many people on so many levels,” Matherly said.

Schwindt will be continuing to work on jail diversion as part of the Data-Driven Justice Initiative. Fowler, a University of Iowa graduate who has been with the police department since 1999, has years of experience working downtown on patrol and bike patrol. He also has served as a member of the department's Special Response Team and is a field training officer.

Shifting to his new role feels like a 'natural progression,” Fowler said.

'It's a new challenge,” he said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com