Former Police Office Pays Off Entire Debt For Law Enforcement Academy Training To City

A former Glenwood police officer has settled his debt with the city of Glenwood for the training he received at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

Glenwood City Administrator Courtney Harter confirmed last week that the city had received a one-time payment of $23,934 from Zachary Chase, who resigned as an officer with the Glenwood Police Department in September 2024 after accepting a position with the Council Bluffs Police Department.

Chase joined the Glenwood Police Department in January 2023, at which time he signed an agreement with the city stating he would reimburse the city for expenses associated with his training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy if he were to leave within four years of his hiring. Because Chase left within two years of his hiring, he was required to reimburse the city for 75% of training expenses and the wages he was paid during his training period. His monthly reimbursement payments came to $350 a month, but  as of May of this year, he had made just one payment.

The Glenwood City Council took up the issue with Chase in May. He came before the city council in June and stated it was always his intention to settle his debt with the city and he was ready to start making the $350 payments on a regular bases if the city was agreeable. With a 12.5% interest rate factored in, it would have taken Chase an estimated 91 months to retire his debt with the city.

The city council took no immediate action on Chase’s request in June and his full payment of $23,934 to the city came unexpectedly.

Glenwood Mayor Angie Winquist informed city council members at their regular meeting on July 14 that Chase had paid off his debt to the city.