Indianola Police Chief Rob Hawkins retires after only 11 months in position

Indianola Police Chief Rob Hawkins has retired effective immediately at 55-years-old, according to the city of Indianola. According to the Independent Advocate, this change in leadership was announced via email on Thursday, Nov. 5, from Indianola City Manager Jacob Meshke. Lieutenant Rick Largesse has taken over as acting chief of police for the Indianola Police Department. It is unclear what has prompted this sudden change. Hawkins had held the position for only 11 months after being named chief in December of 2025. Hawkins has been removed from the police department’s staff directory, and the city of Indianola has begun its recruitment process to find a permanent replacement. The Independent Advocate highlights Hawkins career. Sharing that he first became a law enforcement officer in 1997 with the Pella Police Department in Pella, Iowa. Hawkins later moved to Indianola’s Police Department in 2000, becoming chief of police in December.

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