Candidate for IACP 4th Vice President: Darren Gault
Chief Darren Gault is a highly respected law enforcement leader with nearly 30 years of experience. As Chief of Police for the Moline Police Department in Illinois, he has spearheaded a cultural transformation at the department, modernized operations, and strengthened community relations. Under his leadership, the department achieved ILEAP Accreditation and completed the IACP Trust Building Campaign, reinforcing its commitment to professionalism and transparency.
Chief Gault began his law enforcement career in 1998 with the East Moline Police Department, where he served in multiple roles, including Patrol Officer, Detective, Special Federal Officer assigned to the FBI-Quad Cities Federal Gang Task Force, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, Detective Commander, and Captain. His dedication earned him recognition as Crime Fighter of the Year in 2003 and Exchange Club Officer of the Year in 2007. In 2019, he was recruited to lead the Moline Police Department, where he has lived since 1997.
Chief Gault holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Coe College and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership degree from St. Ambrose University. He is a 2017 graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session #269) and holds advanced certifications as a Certified Police Chief (Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police) and Certified Sport Security Professional (University of Southern Mississippi) and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training from Northwestern University.
Beyond his department, Chief Gault is deeply engaged in professional organizations, such as serving as Vice President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Representative for IACP SACOP, member of the IACP Community Policing Committee, past president of the FBINAA-Illinois Railsplitters, RAC member of the Illinois Community Emergency Services Supports Act, and board member of the QC Open Network just to name a few. He is also the Public Information Officer for the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force. Additionally, he served on the Quad Cities Rush Soccer Board, was the Director of Coaching, and was a highly successful USYS soccer coach for 19 years.
Chief Gault’s leadership is defined by professionalism, teamwork, and integrity. His work in Moline has set a benchmark for modern policing, focusing on community trust, officer development, and operational excellence. As a candidate for IACP 4th Vice President in 2025, he seeks to bring his visionary leadership and proven experience to the global stage, advocating for the future of policing and enhancing law enforcement practices worldwide.
Candidate Statement
Dear IACP Members,
I am honored to announce my candidacy for 4th Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) for the election at the 2025 Annual Conference in Denver. This opportunity represents not only a chance to contribute to the advancement of our profession but also a call to serve the dedicated law enforcement leaders and agencies who tirelessly protect and uphold justice in our communities. Together, we can build a stronger, more united future for policing.
Leadership and Service
Since 1998, I have dedicated my career to law enforcement, demonstrating professionalism and an unwavering commitment to building trust between agencies and the communities we serve. As Chief of Police in Moline, Illinois, I have embraced challenges with a steadfast belief in servant leadership.
My academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and graduation from the FBI National Academy. I serve as a Vice President for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, am Illinois’ IACP SACOP representative, and a member of the IACP Community Policing Committee.
A Vision for the IACP
During the past five years, law enforcement has faced unprecedented challenges: recruitment and retention struggles, declining public trust, and the complexities of navigating societal change. Now, more than ever, strong, principled leadership is essential to guide us through these turbulent times. Below are three priorities that I am focused on in this campaign:
Advocacy
We must reshape the narrative around public service and policing. It is not enough to respond to criticism; we must actively lead the conversation. Law enforcement professionals perform extraordinary work every day, yet too often, these efforts go unnoticed or are misunderstood. It is essential that we speak up to share the positive stories of our profession, educating the public about what we do and why it matters. Safe communities are the foundation of healthy, thriving communities, and the role of law enforcement is central to that success. As your Vice President, I will prioritize highlighting the impactful work of our agencies and fostering a deeper understanding of how our efforts build stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities for everyone.
Technology
The rapid pace of technological advancement offers unparalleled opportunities for law enforcement, yet it also presents significant challenges. From artificial intelligence to drones and data analytics, we must be equipped to adopt, investigate, and regulate these tools effectively. The IACP can play a pivotal role in ensuring that departments of all sizes have access to cutting-edge resources and training, enabling them to succeed in an increasingly complex environment. We can’t let law enforcement be left behind in the technology race.
Image
We must have strong, forward-thinking leadership to navigate these challenging times. An essential part of that leadership is representing the image of law enforcement with integrity and professionalism. I understand the importance of how our profession is perceived by the communities we serve, our legislators, and the media. My dedication to maintaining and promoting a positive image for law enforcement has been a cornerstone of my career, and I will bring this same commitment to representing you and our profession at IACP. We must work together to improve the image of law enforcement, one that communities trust and a profession where employees are proud to serve. As your representative at IACP, I will prioritize the core values of professionalism, teamwork, and integrity that I have established in Moline to build a trusted and respected profession for the future.
Call to Action
My campaign is about you—the members of IACP. I will serve as your advocate, championing your needs and ensuring your voices are heard at every level. I am running to ensure that public safety leaders have the tools, advocacy, and support needed to navigate today’s challenges. I take this responsibility seriously and am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the City of Moline and the Illinois Chiefs of Police. It is important for you to know that my current agency, the City of Moline, passed a resolution supporting my campaign and, if elected, the term and commitment required to fulfill the roles through 2030. I am very fortunate now to be in a position at Moline to take on this challenge for our IACP members.
I invite you to learn more about my vision and background by visiting www.darrengault.com, or you can simply Google my name to see the work I’ve been involved in over the past few years. In doing so, I am confident that I will earn your trust and your vote for IACP 4th Vice President.
Sincerely,
Chief Darren Gault
Chief of Police, Moline, Illinois
Social Media Handles
Website: https://darrengault.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrengault/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566018682328
