Josh Kennedy joined the Johnston Police Department in August 2021 as the city’s first Community Affairs Coordinator. This civilian position helps improve and maintain relationships between the police department and the community while connecting resources to people.
As our population continues to grow, so do the resource needs. Josh ensures the public has an ambassador within the police department to connect community policing efforts with available social, human and mental health services in the greater Des Moines area. Josh came to the Johnston Police Department with 20 years of experience; 14 were within the Johnston Community School District as a youth counselor. His previous professional experiences allowed him dynamic opportunities to help set up services and assistance to help families and students, whether mental or physical barriers affecting them. In many cases, he has seen students grow and overcome obstacles that they may not have been able to on their own without assistance.
This position builds and expands upon proactive outreach and education programming such as Crime Free Multi-Housing and a Citizens Police Academy. Community Affairs will provide more individual, focused attention on people, families and marginalized communities that need direct access to resources both within and outside Johnston - but may not know where or how to access them.