Johnston Police Chief Dennis McDaniel visits Rotary and shares points of pride, challenges
Dennis McDaniel, Johnston Police Chief, spoke to a group of 36 Johnston Rotarians at the March 28 morning meeting at Hyperion Field Club. Chief McDaniel was invited to speak by Rotarian Mike Schoville, who offered many positive comments about the chief from community members in his introduction.
Chief McDaniel shared information on the make-up of the department and the challenges they have. He has been in law enforcement for 25 years, starting in Marshalltown. He then joined the Windsor Heights police department as chief and joined Johnston seven years ago.
Chief McDaniel said the ability to make an impact in a community is the greatest reward.
“The investment you put in comes back 10-fold,” he said.
The Johnston Police Department has grown steadily, according to McDaniel, adding staff each of year since he has been in the community. Chief McDaniel shared his pride in hiring Josh Kennedy as a community affairs coordinator.
“Our goal was to try to connect resources throughout the community to people in need. Josh works as an advocate to address the issues and work with whomever necessary to provide the services.”
Chief McDaniel also stated that Johnston has one of the lowest crime rates in Iowa, and, as a result, Johnston is a very safe community.
“That comes in partnership with each of you,” he said.
Chief McDaniel shared how the years 2017-2019 had a steady increase in crime in Johnston. He said the city saw a decrease in 2020, but it increased in 2021 only to decrease again in 2022. McDaniel stated how the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly a factor in this.
McDaniel also stated how death investigations continue to be a priority, but that Johnston averages only one homicide every five years.
He stressed that if those in attendance only got one thing out of his presentation, he hoped it would be a message to share with their children and grandchildren about the distribution of illegal and prescription drugs.
“Please tell them that if they are given a pill and don’t know what it is, do not take it. Regardless of who offers it. We have to be so careful, and we need to have those difficult conversations.”
Chief McDaniel shared that an increase in sex abuse is directly related to technology, which is a big component between juveniles.
He noted that an increase in disturbance calls is due to the growth in Johnston’s population, and that financial fraud crimes are increasing,
McDaniel stated he is proud of the young organization of the department and the exceptional job recruiting talent. He stated more than 50% of the department was recruited in the last seven years, noting that they have proven to be “good at taking talent and molding them to our mission and working with them to best integrate them into our community.”
Monthly training is required for Johnston’s law enforcement officials with more than 2,800 hours of training completed annually.
The department is working to finalize the budget now and hopes to add an additional office and an executive assistant. McDaniel said the investments in technology — specifically in mobile vehicle squad cars — will continue to be a focus. He said they are also upgrading to a document management system that will allow access to necessary documents in the field 24/7.
McDaniel stated that the funds have been raised, although not yet fully collected, for a police canine. The dog is going to specialized training, and a handler will work with dog.
McDaniel closed by stressing the importance of technology in future police work, specifically with surveillance collaboration and how to use information as a predictor to crime.