The City of Indianola has announced the finalists for the vacant police chief position at the Indianola Police Department. The announcement comes following the retirement of former Indianola Police Chief Brian Sher in September.
With support from MGT, an executive recruitment and management consulting firm specializing in local government, three finalists were selected from a pool of 20 applicants. The search drew a diverse range of candidates with applications submitted from 12 states. Seven applicants were from Iowa.
"We are fortunate to have three outstanding finalists being considered for Indianola’s next police chief. Each brings valuable experience, strong leadership qualities and a genuine commitment to public service," said City Manager Jacob Meshke. "We appreciate the strong interest in this important position and look forward to a thorough and thoughtful selection process."
The police chief serves as Indianola’s top law enforcement official, responsible for leading the police department and ensuring the enforcement of state and local laws. This role collaborates closely with the city manager, mayor, city council and other community stakeholders to promote public safety and maintain peace. The chief oversees a team of 24 full-time sworn officers, seven non-sworn staff members and manages a $4 million budget.
Introducing Our Finalists
The following individuals were selected as finalists for the vacant police chief position. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Mike Colby, Police Chief at Clear Lake Police Department
Chief Mike Colby, a 24-year law enforcement veteran, is currently the police chief for the City of Clear Lake, Iowa. Colby began his career in 2001 with the Clive Police Department in Clive, Iowa, until relocating in 2016 to Clear Lake, where he was a police captain before being promoted to chief in 2023.
Colby has served in a variety of roles throughout his career, including narcotics investigator, field training officer and chairman of the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force. He is a certified drug recognition expert and accident investigator. Colby currently serves as chairman of the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force and Special Operations Group. He is also an active member of the Clear Lake Noon Lions Club and Zion Lutheran Church.
Colby holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Des Moines Area Community College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice leadership from William Penn University and a master’s degree in leadership development from Drake University. Colby is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
Rob Hawkins, Police Captain at Indianola Police Department
Captain Rob Hawkins, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, is currently serving as the interim police chief for the City of Indianola. Hawkins began his career in 1997 with the Pella Police Department in Pella, Iowa, before joining the Indianola Police Department in 2000.
Over the years, he has served in various roles, including police officer, drug task force officer, general crimes detective, sergeant, patrol lieutenant and captain. Hawkins has led several key initiatives within the department, including the implementation of body-worn cameras, the launch of the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) drone program, the development of the school resource officer program and the expansion of the department’s social media presence.
Hawkins holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University and a master’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on public administration from Liberty University. He is also a retired member of the Iowa Army National Guard, where he served for 22 years and completed five overseas deployments in support of Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Edward Tjaden, Police Chief at York, Nebraska Police Department
Chief Edward Tjaden, a 26-year law enforcement veteran, is currently the police chief for the City of York, Nebraska. Tjaden began his career in 1999 with the Gering Police Department in Gering, Nebraska. In 2016, he joined the Alliance Police Department in Alliance, Nebraska, before being appointed chief of police in York in 2017.
Throughout his career, Tjaden has served in a variety of roles, including officer, sergeant, investigator, operations commander, lieutenant and chief. He is a certified High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) task force investigator, a forensic child interviewer and an emergency manager certified in the state of Nebraska.
Tjaden holds both a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in organizational management from Peru State College. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, the FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute and the Central States LEEDS Leadership Program.
Hiring Process Next Steps
Finalists will participate in a comprehensive, two-day final-round interview process on Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5.
An announcement is expected by the end of the year upon completion of the selection process.