Incoming Interim Iowa City Police Chief Kelsay touts importance of transparency

IOWA CITY - Iowa City Police Capt. Troy Kelsay is not afraid to face questions, even during the most difficult situations.

'I very, very, very much think the police department should not be just providing public service, but engaging in that public dialogue and not be threatened when people asked questions,” said Kelsay.

Kelsay, 54, a native of Red Oak, said he believe the city of Iowa City erred in its response to the 1996 fatal shooting of Eric Shaw, a local artist who was accidentally shot and killed when police were investigating what they thought was a break-in. Kelsay was present for the shooting. While the city and Johnson County Attorney's investigated the shooting, the city and police department 'circled the wagons,” Kelsay said.

'I think that's absolutely the wrong approach,” Kelsay said Wednesday. 'I think if we make mistakes, we need to own our mistakes.”

Kelsay, who has served as the face of the department as public information officer and has led news conferences as recently as last month when he discussed the investigation into hate crime allegations by a University of Iowa student, said openness and transparency are 'critical.” He said he plans to continue with that openness during his tenure as the department's interim chief when Chief Sam Hargadine retires at the end of the month.

Interim city manager Geoff Fruin announced Kelsay's appointment on Tuesday. Kelsay said Fruin has been supportive and told Kelsay he didn't need to come to him with every question.

'He believes we have a very good police department and doesn't expect any wholesale changes,” Kelsay said. 'I agree with him.”

'I want to pretty much maintain good stewardship of it for the next six months or however long it will take to go through the process of selecting a new chief.”

Under Iowa Code, Kelsay can serve as interim chief for 90 days before a new interim chief must be selected. Kelsay's tenure cannot be extended and he cannot be reappointed. Like Fruin, Kelsay said he is doubtful a new chief would be selected within those 90 days, given the length of the process.

While he doesn't expect any significant changes to the department, Kelsay said he would not make any without consulting with Fruin and Capt. Bill Campbell, who runs the administrative side of the department.

Kelsay was hired in 1991 and has climbed the ranks of the department since. He was promoted to field operations captain last year. In that role, Kelsay has overseen '80 to 85 percent” of the department, he said. While he has not spent any time as the administrative captain, Kelsay worked under the administrative captain as the planning and research sergeant and sergeant in charge of training and accreditation.

He said his time as public information officer, during which he built relationships with organizations, community members and the media, will serve him well as chief.

'I think that's a lot of what the chief does - the communication, maintaining open ties, the transparency,” he said.

Kelsay said he is undecided whether he will pursue the permanent chief position. Whether he meets the desired requirements of the chief applicants could be a deciding factor, he said.

'It has never been my plan to end my career as a chief,” he said. 'However, officers and community members have been supportive and encouraging. I will consider it.”