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DES MOINES, Iowa — It is the sunset on what became a dream career.

“The most rewarding thing for me is just a dude that had a front-row seat to watch people do incredible things every single day. They always told me that when the time comes you’ll know it. They’re right. It is time,” said retired Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert.

What ended up being a career spanning over 30 years in law enforcement, all with the Des Moines Police Department, began with doubt to even apply back in 1991.

Wingert said, “No college, no qualifications. I didn’t know anybody on the police department. I really didn’t know the city. I didn’t even know who the Police Chief was. I felt like, wow, you’re really up against it dude.”

The Wesley, Iowa native quickly began moving up the ranks. Senior Police Officer in 1995, Seargent in 2000, Lieutenant in 2005, Captain in 2007, Major in 2011 before becoming Chief in 2015.

“It’s all the mentors, it’s all the people. It’s all the opportunity but then seizing those and, and doing your very best job. You know it can land you anywhere including in the Chief’s office,” said Wingert.

Protecting the city was far from glamorous. Several times Wingert was forced to face the truth when officers themselves caught controversy. He said, “I’m a representative of the police department, but I’m a member of this community. Those two things have to mesh. I have to do what’s best for this community.”

A $2.4 million sexual harassment and discrimination settlement was reached after four women sued the department after accusing then-Des Moines Police Officer’s Union Stew Barnes of sending explicit photos of himself to them. Wingert said, “Hiding from it doesn’t work. Those questions have to be answered. Our citizens, our community, they deserve answers. So when you’re the head coach you better be ready to own it. If you own it and you fix it and in a fashion that’s suitable for everybody to understand you’re going to be okay.”

2020 brought the aftermath of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and fueled protests in Des Moines.

“Make no mistake, nobody in this building thought that was okay. We all knew it was wrong. The whole country knew it was wrong,” Wingert said while speaking of Floyd’s death. Chief Wingert is quick to acknowledge the department was caught by surprise. “We didn’t do everything perfect during the civil unrest. We didn’t get an A+ but we did pretty darn good and I was proud of the way our folks responded, given the circumstances. It took a lot out of us.”

Perhaps the lowest point for Chief Wingert came whenever he was forced to place a black band over his badge in memory of a fallen officer killed in the line of duty. Those calls came four times in his tenure as Chief. “I leave with some baggage that I’m going to have to carry. I understand that I’m responsible for those officers and I’ll take that with me but the thing I’m most proud of is just how our folks continue to show up every day and do a great job,” said Wingert.

Now the blessing and burden of being Chief falls on the shoulders of newly sworn-in Chief Michael McTaggart.

“Being Chief of Police was never a goal. I just wanted to be a police officer. I just wanted to help people,” said the newly sworn-in Chief McTaggart.

Wingert says McTaggart wasn’t just the next in line for a promotion. “He’s way smarter than I am. He’s got a ton of experience. He knows the people and the people trust him. They’ll work hard for him,” Wingert said speaking of McTaggart, who joined DMPD in 1999.

McTaggart was chosen from a list of candidates from across the country. “When you can do a nationwide search and the best person for the job is already in those four walls. That makes me proud,” said Wingert.

McTaggart, a 25-year veteran of the department, is already planting his roots in the community. “We really have to get all of our personnel down to those just out of the academy to attend and make contact with the neighborhoods because I think it’s important that we don’t just go into stuff looking to police the community,” said McTaggart.

As Wingert sets aside his title as Chief, on October 24th his family wasted no time garnering him with a new title perhaps the greatest of all. Wingert said, “We have our first grandkids. Twin boys.”

Grandpa’s plans are already forming to put them in a different uniform. “I’m going to teach them how to put their knuckles in the ground and rush off the edge,” said Wingert.

A fitting retirement gift to get back in touch with family after a career of service that Wingert is proud to say will be outmatched by McTaggart.

“Ten years from now, we’re going to look back and we’re going to go wow they took it to another level. That’s what you have in this building.”