‘I love this city’ — Kron tapped to replace former Coralville Chief Bedford

CORALVILLE - In the time leading up to decision on who would replace long time Coralville Police Chief Barry Bedford, Lt. Shane Kron has been getting calls, letters and emails.

Kron - a candidate to replace Bedford - said he was getting wishes of good luck, but also messages from people about how much they appreciate the police department and all the ways the officers have helped them.

'I think, ‘Yeah, that's what we do,'” Kron said Friday. 'I want to continue to measure our success on the impact we have on the people that need us. That's where I want to continue to take us. We don't measure success by arrests. We measure success by impacts.”

Kron will likely get to continue to shape how the police department impacts the City of Coralville. On Friday, City Administrator Kelly Hayworth named Kron as Bedford's replacement. His appointment is subject to approval from the city council, which is to convene on Tuesday.

'I'm honored,” Kron said. 'I'm humbled. I'm excited. I love this city. I love what we do here. We have a fantastic police department, a supportive community. You can't ask for a better set up.”

Hayworth said 'several things” about Kron made him stand out.

'One is he has great past experience in several ways,” Hayworth said. 'He has obviously been an officer with the City of Coralville for many years. He's also been a leader in our emergency response team.”

Hayworth noted Kron also has experience working with other area law enforcement agencies.

'He's just extremely dedicated to Coralville and our community and wants to see our community grow and be safe,” he said.

If approved, Kron would replace Chief Barry Bedford, who retired earlier this year after 42 years with the city. Bedford served as chief for 28 years. Hayworth said Bedford was 'extremely supportive” of Kron succeeding him.

Kron was hired by Coralville in 1990. During his time with the city, he has served as a police office, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant and administrative lieutenant. He was appointed interim chief earlier this month.

Kron has a master's degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor's degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University.

The other three finalists for the chief position were Marion Police Lt. Scott Elam, Clive Police Chief Michael Venema and Woodbury County Sheriff's Office Maj. Greg Stallman.

The ability to connect with the community was a trait Hayworth said he emphasized in the search process. Hayworth noted Kron's involvement with community activities such as Fourth Fest, FRYfest and Substance Free Summer. He's also involved in the schools and has officiated football in the area for 'many, many years,” Hayworth said.

'That was something that was extremely important and continues to be,” Hayworth said.

Hayworth said he expected a 'very smooth transition” from Bedford to Kron, but noted the new chief is 'a different person” expected to put his own mark on the community. Kron agreed, noting that while Bedford was 'very successful” in running the department, now seems like a natural time to examine departmental policies and procedures.

'Is there anything we can do better to help us fulfill the mission?” Kron said. 'I want to include the staff in that. This is not now my department. This is our department. This is the community's department.”

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