Who Is the Davenport, Iowa Police Chief? Bladel Out, Behning In

Major Greg Behning has led the Davenport, Iowa Police Department as Interim Chief since March 3, 2026, the day after Chief Jeff Bladel retired at the end of a 31-year career with the department.¹ The city is running a national search for a permanent successor, and no appointment has been publicly announced as of mid-2026.

Jeff Bladel’s Departure

Bladel was sworn in as Davenport’s Chief of Police in August 2022 after six years as Assistant Chief. He announced his retirement effective March 2, 2026.²

During his time leading the department, Bladel served on the FBI’s Quad City Gang Task Force, led the Department of Justice Public Safety Partnership, and graduated from the FBI National Academy (Class 291) in 2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and a master’s in law enforcement intelligence and analysis from Michigan State University. The department worked with the FBI and ATF on regional gun violence and gang enforcement during his tenure and took part in a Quad City NIBIN initiative with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and other federal partners.²

Interim Chief Greg Behning

Behning stepped in from the rank of major, which sits directly below chief in the Davenport Police Department. Under the municipal code, the sworn ranks below the Chief are major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, and corporal.³⁴⁵

The Chief operates under the administrative direction of the City Administrator and manages an FY2026 operating budget of $33,119,835, roughly $29.2 million of which goes to employee salaries and benefits.⁶⁷ The Chief also sets internal rules: under Davenport Municipal Code Section 2.42.030, the Chief may issue general orders and prescribe rules of conduct that bind every member of the department.³

The Search for a Permanent Chief

The city opened applications for the permanent position with a deadline of April 19, 2026. Candidates submit a resume and cover letter through the city’s careers portal. The posted salary range is $165,000 to $185,000.⁴

Davenport’s recruitment brochure sets the bar well above state minimums. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in public administration, criminal justice, political science, or a related field, plus fifteen years of law enforcement experience with at least five years at the command staff level. The successful candidate must pass a background investigation that includes a polygraph, obtain Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification within six months of appointment, and hold a professional permit to carry a weapon issued by the state. A residency rule also applies to the Chief specifically: residence within the city within one year of appointment.⁴

The broader residency rule for sworn civil service police employees allows officers to live within Davenport’s corporate limits or within twenty miles, which can include areas across the state line in Illinois.⁸ The Chief’s rule is stricter.

How the Chief Gets Appointed

Iowa law requires that a police chief be appointed from a civil service eligible list, determined by an open examination available to applicants from any city, not just internal candidates. A candidate must have at least five years of experience in a public law enforcement agency, or three years of law enforcement experience combined with two years of comparable experience or educational training.⁹

The appointing authority depends on the city’s form of government. In council-manager cities, the city manager appoints the chief with council approval. In cities under a commission plan, the superintendent of public safety makes the appointment with council approval. For all other cities, the appointment follows the local ordinance or city charter.⁹ Davenport operates with a City Administrator, and the Chief works under that administrator’s direction. The City Administrator’s office supervises all city departments and carries out policies set by the Mayor and City Council.¹⁰

A chief who is later relieved of the position keeps a safety net: Iowa law guarantees the right to remain in the department at a rank matching the person’s civil service status, even if the city has to create a temporary position until a regular one opens up.⁹ A police officer who becomes chief does not lose their underlying civil service rights.¹¹

Contacting the Chief’s Office

The Chief’s office is located at 416 Harrison Street, Davenport, IA 52801. Complaints and compliments about officer conduct can be submitted in person, by phone, by email, or by mail, and a printable Citizen Complaint/Compliment Report is available on the city’s website. Useful details to include are the officer’s name and badge number, the date and time of the incident, the location, and a clear description of what happened.¹²¹

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City of Davenport. Police
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City of Davenport. Chief Bladel Announces Retirement
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City of Davenport, IA. Davenport Municipal Code – Chapter 2.42 Police Department
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City of Davenport. Chief of Police Recruitment Brochure
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City of Davenport. Police Career Opportunities
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GovernmentJobs. City of Davenport – Police Chief
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City of Davenport. FY 2026 Budget Summary Overview
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City of Davenport, IA. City of Davenport Code 2.90 – Civil Service Employee Residency Requirements
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Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code 400.13 – Chief of Police and Chief of Fire Department
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City of Davenport, IA. City of Davenport Code 2.30 – Department of City Administration
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Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code 400.14 – Civil Service Status of Chiefs
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City of Davenport. Officer Complaint/Compliment Form