Captain Paul Barrows of the West Des Moines Police Department spoke about his aspirations to assume the position of Ames Police Chief in the City Council chambers Monday evening.

Ames residents gathered at 5 p.m. to hear why Barrows considered himself the best man for the job, as he presented a slide show and discussion about himself and issues concerning the city and citizens of Ames. The position is pending vacancy as a result of Loras Jaeger’s retirement plans, which are expected to be finalized by the end of March.

Barrows, 51, is a native of West Des Moines, where he has resided since receiving his bachelor’s degree in management from Upper Iowa University, and has served for the WDMPD since 1978. Throughout the duration of his career, Barrows has met a handful of promotions from his initial days as a D.A.R.E. officer and has seen a broad range of task responsibilities.

“I truly believe in inclusion over exclusion,” Barrows said of his policing philosophy. “We are going to involve members of the community and together, we are going to collaborate and resolve.”

While addressing the issue of underage students drinking and being allowed into bars, Barrows stood firm.

“It is a never-ending battle. My preference is to have a law passed that you must be 21 to enter a bar, otherwise it becomes a vicious cycle,” Barrows said.

Barrows earned his master’s in public administration from Drake University, and has attended various seminars, including one at Harvard University, to better manage a community.

“We all have resources. Those resources are provided with tax dollars, and the more we can work together and facilitate – the better,” he said.

Holly Fuchs, Ames resident for 50 years, attended the forum to “be active.”

“It’s important to me. When you are in a three-dimensional situation such as this, you can see all the interaction that takes place. You don’t get to see that on TV,” Fuchs said.

Fuchs credits her participation to her belief that citizen input is essential and that somebody has to do it. She was one of more than 20 to attend and ask questions.

“Accountability to the community is the most important thing,” Barrows said. “I know Ames is a quality place, and a good place to live, work, learn and maintain a team environment. Quality is a continuing process, and we can all work on being better and more efficient.”

Other contenders’ forums for the position will take place throughout the month of February. Citizens are encouraged to attend and participate in the candidate feedback evaluation.