Decorah Police Department announces promotions following "a year of unprecedented change"

A number of longtime Decorah Police Department employees have retired this year, causing what new Police Chief Bill Nixon describes as "unprecedented change" in his department.

But Nixon has named four police department veterans to leadership positions in his department.  Monday night he introduced David Smutzler as the new Assistant Police Chief; Scott Herman as a Police Captain; and Mark Heffern and Mandy Wiltgen as Police Sergeants.  Smutzler has worked for the Decorah Police Department for 18 years; Heffern for 16 years; Herman for 11 years and Wiltgen for 8 years.

Nixon also announced that Dustin Carolan has been hired for a vacant Police Officer position.