Chief Bina.

After a decade of dedicated service as the City of Tama Police Chief, Jason Bina has resigned due to his health. Chief Bina leaves behind 21 years in law enforcement.

Bina made his start in law enforcement in 2005 and started with the City of Tama Police Department in 2011. Bina temporarily took over the role of Chief in 2015 when Chief Jeff Filloon left. After attempts to fill the position failed, Bina took the position full-time in 2016 and has held it ever since.

The decision to leave his position did not come lightly, but one he struggled over.

“My health was the main thing in making the decision,” Bina said. “After a medical event in 2025, I’ve learned some things are not worth it, and that life and family are of importance.”

From now on, Bina’s life will be a little easier and less stressful than it was previously. The chill life is what is on the docket from here on out, or as Bina put it, “Work on the Farm, live life, not carry a cell phone 24/7, spend more time with my family in Northeast Iowa.”

Although the job was stressful and hard from day one, Bina is surely leaving with his share of happy memories and experiences. The Chief looked back and said it was the community that fondly stands out to him the most.

“I never thought I would have stayed in Tama as long as I did. Coming from NE Iowa, where diversity is only something they teach you about in a book, to see it and live it is another. The other big things that stick out are saving lives after starting CPR on patients right away and also seeing the people on their worst day, but helping guide them in decision making,” he said.

After a decade as Chief of the Tama Police Department, Jason Bina is leaving to focus on life’s priorities. For 20 years in Iowa and fifteen years in Tama, Bina served and protected citizens, and now he has hung up the badge and started a new chapter.