DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy is stepping aside after facing opposition to his appointment from state senators.
Arlen Ciechanowski has informed Gov. Terry Branstad that he’s retiring June 30.
Branstad appointed the longtime instructor as academy director in 2011.
Ciechanowski faced criticism over how he handled an investigation that found that his assistant director, Michael Quinn, mistreated female employees and cadets.
Ciechanowski disciplined Quinn but let him keep his job after learning Quinn made inappropriate workplace comments. Meanwhile, the female instructor who complained about Quinn was fired.
Lawmakers last year passed a law that made Quinn’s job at-will and Ciechanowski’s position subject to Senate confirmation. Ciechanowski promptly fired Quinn last summer.
But key Democratic senators opposed Ciechanowski’s appointment, arguing a culture change is needed at the academy.
