Captain Donna Bacus - Iowa State Patrol

As a young girl growing up in Knoxville Iowa in the 1970's I hadn't given much thought to pursuing a career in law enforcement. In fact, I didn't even know that was an option! I had grown up participating in athletics and thought my dream job would be to coach an athletic team. Little did I know that God had other plans for me. My summer employment at the Coast to Coast store in Knoxville gave me the opportunity to meet one of the local State Troopers whose wife worked with me at the store. Trooper Hutchinson would come in and talk with me about the Iowa State Patrol and the trooper's role in public service. Having been raised in the church I was very committed to a life of service and thought that perhaps this was my opportunity.

I applied for the 6th DPS Basic Academy in the summer of 1977 and was blessed to be accepted as a member of that class. My sister, Kathy, also applied and was accepted as well so I had support that most of my classmates did not have. And as anyone that has attended the DPS Academy can attest to, you need all of the support and understanding that you can get!

On January 8, 1978, I took the oath of office and became a member of the Iowa State Patrol, the greatest law enforcement agency in the world. I have been blessed to have received awards and recognition in the athletic and academic arenas, but they all pale in comparison to the pride that I felt when my parents pinned that trooper badge on my chest, and I was sworn in as an Iowa State Trooper.

I was assigned to District 1 in Des Moines for my initial duty station and was blessed with 17 great years there. During that time I was a Field training officer, Physical Fitness Coordinator, Acting Sergeant, and was a member of the DPS Academy Cadre Staff. In January of 1995 I was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to District 9 in Cedar Falls. During my time in Post 9, I was still actively involved in the DPS Academy as a member of the Cadre Staff and was also involved in the Applicant testing process. In July of 1998, I transferred back to Des Moines and was assigned to the newly created Professional Development Bureau. That assignment only lasted 3 months as I was promoted to Lieutenant and detached to the Commissioners Office as the Bureau Chief of the Plans and Research Bureau. In October of 1999 I was selected to serve as the Assistant to the Commissioner and was promoted to Captain in January of 2000. In July 2001, I was reassigned as Bureau Chief of the Professional Responsibility Bureau and served there until August of 2002, when I returned to the State Patrol as the Assistant Field Operations Officer. Since that time I have served as the Special Operations Officer and now as Assistant Administrative Operations Officer. Though it was hard to work out of uniform, my years in the Commissioners Office afforded me the opportunity to see how the State Patrol fits in to the mission of the Department of Public Safety, and also gave me the opportunity to meet and get to know many outstanding people, both sworn and non-sworn, who make DPS the great organization that it is today.

Assistant Director - Gaming Operations Bureau Charis Paulson, Division of Criminal Investigation

I began my career in law enforcement after completing my Masters Degree in Business Administration. I was hired as a Special Agent and assigned to the Gaming Bureau within the Division of Criminal Investigation. Throughout my career with DCI I spent 4 years in the Gaming Bureau followed by 7 years in the General Criminal Bureau. These assignments afforded me many opportunities to hone my investigative skills through conducting background investigations, working homicides, embezzlements, stalking cases, and identity thefts. In addition to these duties I had the opportunity to serve as an instructor in the areas of Stalking and White Collar Crime, a recruiter, and fitness coordinator. I was promoted to Special Agent in Charge supervising agents assigned to various gaming enforcement venues in Central Iowa; pari-mutuel betting, riverboat gambling, illegal gambling, bookmaking, and amusement device enforcement. I am currently the Assistant Director of the Gaming Operations Bureau and enjoy working for an organization that encourages personal and professional growth while providing a challenging work environment.

Trooper Deb Stine - Iowa State Patrol

I always knew I wanted to become a police officer. After three years with a municipal police department I joined the Iowa State Patrol with the encouragement of some local Troopers. The Iowa State Patrol has afforded me the opportunity to further my career and provide me with more opportunities and challenges than I would have had otherwise. Most importantly, my husband and my children have supported my desire to advance my career. Each day when I go to work I know that I am working to make Iowa a safer place. I want my children to grow up, live here and raise their families in safe communities and be able to enjoy the many opportunities that Iowa has to offer.

Special Agent Shelb y McCreedy
Plans, Research & Training Bureau

I began my career with the Iowa Department of Public Safety in 1998, graduating from the 25th Basic Academy as a Special Agent with the DCI. Since that time, I have enjoyed working in an investigative capacity, a training capacity, as well as serving as a Departmental Recruiter. The DPS is very supportive of women in Law Enforcement, and flexible with family obligations. The DPS was very accommodating during both of my pregnancies, and has made my duties as a Special Agent, Wife, and Mother easy to balance. My husband is also employed with the DPS as a State Trooper. The DPS has always been flexible, which has been helpful when training situations arise that involve both of us. It is a blessing to work for a Family First organization and for people who understand the importance of balancing professional and personal responsibilities. I truly believe that any woman looking for a career in Law Enforcement should pursue employment with the DPS.

Special Agent Amy Kluender
Division of Criminal Investigation

I grew up in a state police family and that factored in my decision to apply with the Department of Public Safety. I witnessed the pride and tradition of the organization and the respect the public has for the work that we do and the values our employees stand for and I knew I wanted to become a member of the department. Upon receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, I applied with the Department of Public Safety in 1995 and was hired as a Special Agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation's gaming bureau. I was promoted in 1999 and transferred to the general criminal unit of the DCI in 2005. While employed with the Division of Criminal Investigation I have had the opportunity to serve as a field training officer, recruiter, and as a drill instructor at the Department of Public Safety academy. I feel that my career with the DPS has challenged me personally as well as professionally. I also enjoy working for an organization that promotes family values and community service. The DPS prides itself on hiring individuals who possess integrity and a high moral character. It is an outstanding organization that treats its members equally and provides many promotional and professional developmental opportunities. The DPS also supports an environment that provides training group goals. If you are contemplating a career in law enforcement I would encourage you to consider the Department of Public Safety and embark on your own rewarding career.