Ottumwa Promotes from Within for New Police Chief

The Ottumwa City Council has chosen a 25-year veteran of the Ottumwa Police Department as its next chief.

 

The Ottumwa Courier reports the council on Friday voted 3 to 2 to hire Tom McAndrew as police chief. He’s been serving as interim police chief after the retirement of former chief Jim Clark.

For the past five years, McAndrew has served as lieutenant. He also has worked in patrol, investigations and as director of the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force.

He was picked over Jeff Jirak, of Wilton, and Lawrence McNaul, of Grinnell.

The council will make a formal employment offer at its next meeting, set for May 21.