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.
| DOWNLOAD: 26 on 2026: A police leadership playbook
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.
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.
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.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is coordinating with Mitchellville to provide coverage but said no formal agreement has been finalized.
