Marion residents and members of the business community are invited to a public reception from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5 to meet the four candidates interviewing to be Marion’s next police chief. The open house will take place in the atrium at Marion City Hall, 1225 6^th Avenue, Marion.

The City of Marion is looking to hire Chief Joseph McHale’s successor. McHale resigned earlier this year to pursue a career in the private sector.

Four candidates, two internal and two external, are interviewing to lead the department of 46 sworn officers and six civilian employees. Open house attendees are encouraged to meet the candidates and ask them questions.

The candidates, listed alphabetically, include:

Scott Elam: Elam has been with the Marion Police Department for 23 years and currently serves as lieutenant of the Investigations Division. He obtained his master’s degree through Mount Mercy University in criminal justice with an emphasis in management and administration.

Mike Kitsmiller: Kitsmiller has been with the Federal Bureau of Investigations out of Omaha, Nebraska for 20 years and currently serves as special agent. Prior to that, he worked as a police officer for 12 years in Memphis, Tennessee. Along with graduating from the Memphis Police Academy and the FBI Academy, Kitsmiller earned a degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri.

Chad Nott: Nott has been with the Marion Police Department for 23 years and currently serves as lieutenant of the Patrol Division. He obtained his bachelor’s degree through the University of Northern Iowa in criminology.  Nott also participated in the Supervision of Police Personnel course at Northwestern University. 

John Stuelke:  Stuelke has been with the Linn County Sherriff’s Office for 37 years and currently serves as colonel - chief deputy. He obtained an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Kirkwood Community College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Public Administration degree through Upper Iowa University.