A northwest Iowa police chief who has been on paid leave following a domestic abuse-assault charge has been reinstated. 57-year-old Rodney Watkins of Laurens was given a deferred prosecution and will have the charges dismissed if he’s not charged again on similar charges within the next year. The Laurens City Council reinstated Watkins to his position at their meeting Monday. Watkins resumed his job this morning (Tuesday). Watkins was charged after an incident with his wife February 22nd. His wife was not injured.