Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine to retire next month

IOWA CITY - Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine will retire next month, the police department announced Monday.

After nearly 11 years in Iowa City, Hargadine said Monday he was ready to take the next step.

'It's time for the next chapter,” he said.

Hargadine has taken a position as Executive Director of the Iowa Police Chief's Association. Hargadine has been on the board for the chief's association for six or seven years and appointing an executive director is something that has long been discussed, he said.

'It's something the entire board has been wanting to take the next step toward,” Hargadine said. 'I said, ‘If you'd like, I'd be willing to be that guy.'”

Hargadine joined the city as police chief in August 2005, after a career in Columbia, Mo. During his time with the department, Hargadine has overseen the implementation of a number of initiatives, according to a city news release. Among those are the creation of Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers, the implementation of a police chaplains program and advocating to for the Crisis Intervention Model in Johnson County.

However, what Hargadine said he is most proud of is instilling a sense of pride in the police department.

'When I first got here, they had been beat up on quite a bit because of some of the negative things that had occurred in ICPD history,” Hargadine said, reference in to the 1996 accidental shooting of local artist Eric Shaw by an Iowa City police officer. 'These people, there are just some outstanding police officers that work here. I inherited a great department and I'm hopefully leaving that legacy when I go.”

The Crime Stoppers program launched in 2007, despite what Hargadine described as some concerns from the city council. Since then, the anonymous tip line has helped solve a homicide, several armed robberies and other crimes in Johnson County.

'I think it's been successful,” he said.

In recent years, Hargadine has worked with St. Ambrose University in Davenport to analyze the department's traffic stop data for disproportionate minority contact.

The Iowa Police Chief's Association recently named Hargadine's its Police Chief of the Year.

Hargadine's last day will be June 30. Interim city manager Geoff Fruin said the city has begun the process of naming an interim police chief and hiring a full-time chief. Fruin said the interim chief would be named in the coming weeks.

'We thank Chief Hargadine for over a decade of distinguished service to the City of Iowa City,” Fruin said. 'His many contributions to the Iowa City Police Department have strengthened our community significantly. We wish Chief Hargadine continued success in his new position.”