Michael McTaggart 

Chief Mike McTaggart is a 26-year veteran of the Des Moines Police Department. During his career, he has worked as a patrol officer, robbery/homicide detective, and SWAT Team member. In 2011, Chief McTaggart was promoted to Sergeant. Since that time, he has supervised the patrol division, robbery/homicide section, family conflict unit, and the SWAT Team while also advancing in rank to Lieutenant, Captain, Major and now Chief.

As a police officer and supervisor, Chief McTaggart has been awarded the department’s Medal of Valor and Distinguished Service awards. The State of Iowa awarded Chief McTaggart its Sullivan Brothers Award for Valor. He is also a two-time recipient of the Red Cross’s Hero of the Heartland award.

Chief McTaggart’s overall goal for the Des Moines Police Department is to lower crime and increase the sense of community. The DMPD is using data driven resource management combined with community engagement as strategies to accomplish this goal. Personal wellness is a major factor in the effectiveness of officers and their career longevity. The Des Moines Police Department has taken steps to increase its officers’ wellbeing with the assistance of its Peer Support Team, internal guidance groups, and extensive work with its unions.

Chief McTaggart holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. He is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Staff and Command. Chief McTaggart also graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston.