Local news- Press Release
Cedar Rapids City of Five Seasons IO - Dostal Named as Police Chief Selection 12 February 2024 ( news )
Cedar Rapids City of Five Seasons , state IO ( By Press Release office)
Feb 12,2024
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City Manager Pomeranz Announces Police Chief Selection
CEDAR RAPIDS , IA — February 12 , 2024 — Tomorrow , City Manager Jeff Pomeranz will seek the consent of the City Council to appoint David L . Dostal as the City’s next Police Chief during the regular City Council meeting at Noon in council chambers on the third floor of City Hall , 101 First Street SE .
“David stood out thanks to his extensive background and experience across all areas of law enforcement , his long track record of leadership focused on building strong community partnerships , and the respect he has earned within the Department , City organization , and throughout our community , ” said Pomeranz . “I am confident he will do a phenomenal job as our next Chief of Police . ”
“I am humbled by this opportunity , ” said Dostal . “I appreciate City Manager Pomeranz’s confidence in my ability to serve the Police Department and I look forward to the outcome of tomorrow’s Council meeting . ”
Dostal has served his entire career with the Cedar Rapids Police Department , starting as a Police Officer in 1991 . Since that time , he has served as a patrol officer , field - training officer , member of the special - response team , bike - patrol officer and instructor , and honor guard member . He was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Task Force Officer investigating Federal drug cases .
Dostal was then promoted to Sergeant in 2006 , during which time he oversaw the Police Officer Reserve Unit , served as a Neighborhood Association liaison , provided instruction with the Cedar Rapids Regional Police Academy , and supervised Narcotics/Vice in the Criminal Investigation Division . He has assisted in various Local , State , and Federal drug investigations during which he worked closely with the Cedar Rapids City Attorney , Linn County Attorney , and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa .
In 2016 , Dostal was promoted to Lieutenant , during which time he worked first as a Patrol Shift Commander and then oversaw the operations of the Criminal Investigation Division , including such areas of responsibility as crimes against persons , property crimes , narcotics/vice , youth services , and intelligence . He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2023 and was most recently assigned to the Administrative Operations Division , where his responsibilities have included providing training and oversight for the Cedar Rapids Regional Police Academy and oversight of the Joint Communications Agency , Records , Animal Care and Control , and Buildings and Grounds divisions .
Dostal holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell College and has received numerous professional development certifications across a variety of topics , including graduation from the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police in 2021 . He has received several awards and recognitions , including Recruit Officer of The Year , Community Service Award , Commendation of Heroism , Police Officer of the Year , Employee of the Quarter , and the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award presented by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration recognizing Dostal’s efforts to make Cedar Rapids a drug - free community .
The City hired the International Association of Chiefs of Police ( IACP ) and worked with the Cedar Rapids Civil Service Commission to find qualified applicants for the Police Chief position through a nationwide search . IACP leveraged an extensive network of law enforcement professionals and marketing best practices in their outreach efforts .
A community - feedback - driven process informed the creation of a Candidate Profile used in the job posting . The process included stakeholder interviews to gather diverse perspectives , a detailed job analysis to understand the intricacies of the role , an evaluation of the policing environment to comprehend challenges and opportunities , and community and City Department engagement through surveys . IACP used insights gained through the process to build a Police Chief Candidate Profile that reflects the needs of the position in serving the Cedar Rapids community .
The City received 17 applications for the position . The Civil Service Commission identified 14 of the applicants as candidates qualified to move on to a virtual , structured interview phase . Following this phase , the Civil Service Commission identified eight candidates to proceed to an assessment center phase , designed in accordance with the “Guidelines for Ethical Considerations for Assessment Center Operations , ” issued by the International Task Force on Assessment Center Guidelines . The Civil Service Commission provided written interview questions for the semi - finalists to complete as part of the Assessment Center phase . Seven candidates remained after the Assessment Center phase .
The Civil Service Commission met on December 13 , 2023 , to interview the remaining candidates . The Commission certified a list of four candidates on January 30 , 2024 . Pomeranz invited all four finalists to interviews in Cedar Rapids on February 7 .
“I was proud to have four highly qualified candidates to consider out of a healthy pool of applicants , driven by a transparent , community - driven process . I appreciate the Civil Service Commission’s work to present the Certified List and all the community members who participated in the process and shared their feedback with me , ” said Pomeranz .
Pomeranz also invited members of several community groups engaged throughout the Civil Service process to participate in interview panels , including all members of the City’s Executive Team; a selection committee , including a member of the Citizen Review Board as laid out in Chapter 74 . 03 of Municipal Code; a six - person focus group from the Police Department , which participated throughout the process to maintain a steady line of communication regarding the search process open to Police Department employees; and a group of community members committed to enhancing community - police relationships , each passionate about ensuring the selected Police Chief is the most - qualified candidate for the community . In addition , numerous members of the public attended a meet and greet event with the candidates . Additional information about the search process can be found on the City website:
CityofCR . com/PoliceChief
Using feedback received throughout the process — including surveys from interview panel members , data gathered from community members used to build the Candidate Profile , each candidate’s experience , and scores provided by the Civil Service Commission — Pomeranz selected David Dostal as the candidate whose qualifications most closely matched the community - created Police Chief Candidate Profile .
While looking forward to Dostal’s installment , Pomeranz explained that the process is not yet complete . “It is important we respect the overall process as outlined in City Code . Attaining the City Council’s consent is an important next step , and I look forward to their consideration tomorrow , ” said Pomeranz .
Pomeranz submitted a letter to the City Council requesting their consent in Dostal’s appointment . The Council will consider the matter in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 7 — Police Department at their meeting on Tuesday . A copy of the letter is attached .
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