History Made from Foundations Laid by Cle’Shai Harden “For many are called, but few are chosen” Matthew 22:14 Out of a group of 54 applicants of various qualifications, backgrounds, and nationalities; Ankeny, IA has chosen their first African-American police chief: Mr. Darius Potts. Though history has been made because of his race, it was his path to this place that solidified his position. I decided to bring my son along with me to meet with Mr. Potts in his spacious office within the Ankeny police department. Though I was earlier than my appointed time, the Chief was more than understanding and welcomed me into his office. After introducing my son to Chief Potts, he said if he would have known my son was coming, he would have set his play station up. We exchanged laughter and I was immediately comfortable. His energy evoked nostalgic memories of spending time with my own family. Comfortably we settled at his round table, and he began to unveil his path leading to this momentous point in his life. Darius Potts was raised by his loving parents Mr. Johnnie and Mrs. Barbara Pott’s; in Chicago, IL. His parents taught him many things and with a perfect ying and yang they raised their family. exemplified hard work, and his mother showed him how to care from a softer side: “My Father was a strong man. He taught me how to respect people, my career, my family. He was committed to my mom. Everything my mom asked him to do, he did with no question. My mom was treated [very] well, he showed me how to treat a woman. My dad was in the Air Force for like forty years, he had a job for 35 years. He went to church every Sunday. He volunteered and gave money. He was committed. My dad was number one in all that. He was the strength side, the logical side. My mom taught me how to be emotional. She was funny and goofy at times. In my mind they had a perfect relationship”. Before his parents were called home to be with the Lord, they were true “snow birds”. They owned a home in Gilbert, Arizona and came down about half the year and spent time with Chief Potts and his family. Though his mother and father taught their children many things, every child will choose their own path in life. Darius realized this as he watched his sibling deal with addiction. A disease that many of us have dealt with in our own family. This did not deter him. It only pushed him to make a decision that would change his life in ways, I don’t think he fathomed as a graduate in 1989. For every place we go in life there is always a beginning with choices. At that time Darius aspired to be a Disc Jockey. He was already working as one while attending Iowa State, where he met his beautiful wife Renee (a native of Iowa). With his name picked out, DJ Darius DISCO Potts; he was ready to explore and obtain a serious position in the industry. His father As a young man starting a family reality hit, and he needed a job. Though he applied for jobs in Chicago, Iowa and various locations; he was accepted by the Phoenix police academy first. In 1991, he graduated from the academy as an officer of the law. He was young and ready to make a difference. In a city of roughly 1 million citizens at the time, he was in a place where his ambition was welcomed. As a rookie he and his partner George C., were sanctioned by a Lieutenant Brown to do community-based policing.
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