Incoming Davenport police chief outlines top priorities, targets staffing recruitment

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) — After more than 30 years with the Davenport Police Department, Interim Chief Greg Behning will officially become the next police chief.

Behning sat down with media Thursday to discuss his priorities for the department as he prepares to take over the role on Sunday, June 14.

Smooth transition, familiar direction

“I think the biggest thing for me is bringing others along... and continue moving the department in a direction that we’ve been heading under Chief Bladel,” Behning said.

His first goal is ensuring a stable transition. Behning has served as interim chief since March, following the early retirement of former Chief Jeff Bladel, who stepped down to focus on his family after his wife’s unexpected death. Bladel had served as chief since 2022.

While much of the department’s foundation will remain the same, Behning said he has his eye on several long-term goals.

Recruitment and retention top priority

Near the top of his list is addressing staffing challenges.

“The biggest area is the constant ongoing recruitment and retention concerns,” Behning said. “Addressing those as aggressively as possible is by far my priority.”

Behning also said he wants to modernize how officers do their jobs, looking for technology that can save time and keep officers focused on serving their community.

“Something that allows the officers and the detectives to spend more time doing and less time typing,” he said.

Prevention and partnerships

Public safety remains the department’s mission, but Behning said enforcement is only one piece of the puzzle. He pointed to partnerships throughout the city that help address problems before they turn into crime.

“The enforcement portion of the job is only part of it,” Behning said. “So the prevention and the intervention is a huge part as well.”

He also plans to continue programs already in place, including mental health co-responders and violence intervention efforts.

Behning said maintaining public trust will always remain critical.

“I think that’s where the community trust comes from: transparency, honesty, and being as clear in our communications as possible,” he said.

As Davenport’s next police chief prepares to take over, Behning said the public should not expect a dramatic shift, just a continued effort to strengthen the department and build on what is already working.

“My future vision is nothing but enhancements to the department,” he said. “We do not want to go backwards on anything.”

Behning officially assumes the chief’s role Sunday.