MITCHELLEVILLE, Iowa — An Iowa city entered 2026 without a police department after its entire force resigned effective Jan. 1, leaving the city temporarily without local law enforcement coverage, according to KCCI.
“I want to let you know that the entire police department has resigned as of Jan. 1,” Mayor-elect Tony Jensen said.
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The mass resignation follows a turbulent year for the city, marked by the departures of two Mitchellville police chiefs and the firing of a city administrator, KCCI reports. The instability has raised concerns among residents about public safety and leadership turnover.
The departures come after months of turmoil within the department’s leadership. In November, former Police Chief William Daggett resigned just hours after Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand’s office released a report alleging Daggett had collected thousands of dollars in improper payroll costs and compensatory time payments while working for the city of Baxter, according to KCCI.
Daggett’s resignation was followed by the appointment of Hezekiah Applegate as interim police chief on Nov. 11. Applegate announced during a December city council meeting that he, along with multiple part-time and reserve officers, would resign effective Dec. 26. In a statement to KCCI, Applegate said he accepted a position with another agency but chose to remain through the holidays to help with the city’s transition.
City officials previously told KCCI that, following those resignations, the department would still have two full-time officers and one reserve. However, all remaining officers ultimately resigned effective Jan. 1, leaving the city without a police department as it entered 2026.
Mitchellville, a city of roughly 2,500 residents located in Polk and Jasper counties, is now relying on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for interim law enforcement coverage while officials determine next steps.
Longtime Mitchellville resident Jerry Butler told KCCI he understands why the remaining officers chose to leave.
“They don’t want to deal with the new council and the new mayor and all this other stuff that’s going on. So, it’s like, you know, they’re going to bail,” Butler said.
Mayor Jensen said he held a special town hall meeting to address recent controversies and confirmed the city is working with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to provide interim law enforcement services. Coverage is particularly critical because Mitchellville is home to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women.
“They have to cover 24/7 until, until we figure out what we’re doing, until we hire a new police,” Jensen said. “They’re covering us 24/7. And yes, they’re going to bill us for it … nothing’s free, but we won’t have a contract, but they will cover us until we get back on our feet.”
This article, originally published on Jan 2, has been updated to reflect information relevant to the resignations.
