Police Chief Rex Mueller Retires After 30 Years
Sioux City's police chief stepped away from the department after three decades of service, with a captain named interim chief.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller stepped away from the Sioux City Police Department on Friday, Nov. 13, after 30 years of service. Captain Ryan Bertrand will serve as interim chief.
Why it matters
Mueller's nine years as chief covered a global pandemic and protests, and his departure leaves Sioux City's police leadership in an interim phase. The transition puts the department under Captain Ryan Bertrand while residents await a permanent successor.
Mueller's last day with the department was Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, after roughly 30 years of service and nine years as chief. Captain Ryan Bertrand has been named interim chief, and the source does not indicate when a permanent replacement will be selected.
The players
Rex Mueller
Rex Mueller is the former chief of the Sioux City Police Department who served nine years in the role and 30 years with the department overall.
Ryan Bertrand
Ryan Bertrand is a captain with the Sioux City Police Department who has been named interim chief following Mueller's departure.
The details
Mueller first put on a Sioux City police uniform roughly three decades ago and became chief nine years ago. His tenure included a global pandemic and protests, and he has now stepped away from the department.
Timeline
Roughly 1996: Mueller first put on a Sioux City police uniform.
Nine years before 2026: Mueller became Sioux City police chief.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026: Mueller's last day with the Sioux City Police Department.
Legal Context
Mueller's tenure included the 2020 protests that prompted police leadership turnover across the country. His departure fits that broader pattern, in which chiefs who served through the upheaval have been replaced by interim or new leadership.
Residents of Sioux City are now working with an interim police chief, Captain Ryan Bertrand, until a permanent leader is named. The change in leadership may affect how the department sets priorities in the near term.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at police departments can shift priorities quickly, so residents benefit from following who holds the interim and permanent roles. Staying informed about public appointments helps the community understand how local policing will evolve.
Further reading
For more on local policing leadership, browse Sioux City Law Enforcement coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ktiv.
