Davenport Police Chief Jefferey Bladel announced he will retire after 31 years of dedicated service to the department. His retirement is effective Monday, March 2.
Mr. Bladel, a lifelong Davenport resident, served in every division of the department during his career. He spent 17 years on the Emergency Services Team, gained extensive investigative experience in the Tactical Operations Bureau, and was a member of the FBI’s Quad City Gang Task Force.
After six years as assistant chief, he was sworn in as Davenport’s Chief of Police in August 2022.
“Serving the City of Davenport has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Mr. Bladel said in a Friday, Feb. 20 statement. “I am deeply proud of our city, our Police Department, and the extraordinary professionals who serve this community every day.”
During his tenure as chief, Mr. Bladel led the department’s involvement in nationally recognized initiatives. They included the Department of Justice Public Safety Partnership, the Smart Policing Initiative, and the National Network for Safe Communities. He oversaw the expansion of data-driven crime reduction strategies. He also established a dedicated Crime Analysis Unit, and implemented the Group Violence Intervention strategy.
Led safety initiatives
He also was instrumental in advancing major public safety initiatives across the Quad Cities, championing strategies ranging from addressing gun violence to mental health crisis response. This included efforts such as the Quad City National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) initiative and the launch of a Crisis Co-Responder Program within the agency.
“Chief Bladel transformed the way people think about crime prevention in Davenport through early intervention and strong community partnerships,” Mayor Jason Gordon said in the release. “Jeff will always be a valued member of the Davenport Police Department family, and we thank him for his years of dedicated public service in our community.”
Before his career in law enforcement, Mr. Bladel served in the U.S. Army as an airborne military police officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University. The chief also has a master’s degree in law enforcement intelligence and analysis from Michigan State University. He graduated from the FBI National Academy, Class 291, in 2024.
His father, Michael Bladel, also served as a Davenport police chief and a Scott County sheriff from 1993 to 2000. Beginning March 3, Davenport Police Major Greg Behning will serve as interim chief until Mr. Bladel’s successor is named.
