CLEAR LAKE – City officials in Clear Lake have announced three finalists for the position of Chief of Police.
There were 24 resumes submitted, City Administrator Scott Flory told NIT Tuesday. A committee of 7 conducted preliminary telephone interviews with 10 candidates. From that group, 4 were evaluated more extensively and invited, with their spouses, to the Community separately for tours and an impromptu “meet & greet” with police department staff and various City officials. Those officials settled on 3 as finalists for final interviews.
Mr. Flory said city hall hopes to make an offer of employment by the 30th of June and have the Council officially approve the appointment shortly thereafter, with the candidate to begin first part of August. The interviews will be conducted in closed session, in accordance with the code of Iowa, with the mayor, city council members, Scott Flory, and the city attorney. The final appointment will take place in open session of a city council meeting.
“A common theme that we heard from others during our extensive position profile development was ‘leadership’, ‘integrity’, and ‘respect’, Mr. Flory told NIT. “I believe that all three finalists have demonstrated and embody these qualities. Each has toured the City and police facilities and undergone extensive background checking. There is no doubt that each of these three gentleman has the necessary skills and abilities to be successful as the police chief for Clear Lake.”
The three finalists are:
Jeff Hanson
Jeff Hanson is currently the Chief of Police in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He has his Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Bellevue University and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Iowa Lakes Community College. Jeff started his law enforcement career with the Spirit Lake Police Department in 1987 and graduated from the Iowa Police Academy in 1988. During his tenure with the Spirit Lake Police Department, he served as the K-9 handler, held the position of Patrol Sergeant, and was appointed Chief in 2005. Jeff serves on the executive boards of the Iowa Great Lakes Drug Task Force and Multijurisdictional Tactical Team – HEAT (High Risk Entry and Arrest Team). He participates in various local community coalitions and service groups. The Spirit Lake Police Department is comprised of eight officers and works in cooperation with the Spirit Lake Community School to provide a school resource officer. Spirit Lake is a community that enjoys an influx in population due to summer residents and vacationers returning to the area.
Chief Hanson grew up in Estherville, Iowa. Jeff and his wife, Cathy, have four adult children. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hunting with his dogs, fishing, and golfing with family and friends.
Paul Ver Meer
Paul grew up in Spencer, Iowa, and graduated from Spencer Senior High in 1984. He attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and received an Associates of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. He then transferred to the University of Iowa and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. While attending college, he met and married his wife, Robin, and they have been married for 28 years.
Paul was hired by the Carroll Police Department as a police officer in 1991. While with the Carroll police department he held several positions, including: drug task force officer; narcotics supervisor; field training officer; field training coordinator; and sergeant. Paul was with the Carroll Police Department until 2008, when he was selected to be the Chief of Police for the Creston Police Department. During his time with the Creston Police Department, the Department implemented numerous improvements in technology and officer training. He also oversees a joint communications center, which is responsible for all police, fire, and EMS dispatching in Union County. Paul is active in local civic organizations such as the Kiwanis, Elks, and the Creston Image Enhancement Committee.
Pete Roth
Captain Pete Roth has been employed with the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety since August of 2008. He began his law enforcement career with the University as a lieutenant in the Police Division. Pete oversees the Uniform Patrol Division, consisting of four lieutenants, two sergeants, and up to 22 sworn police officers. Prior to coming to the university, Pete was a sergeant with the Clive Police Department and served successfully there for over 10 years. He has been an instructor of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Traffic Occupant Protection Strategies, and Radar/Lidar. Pete has taught at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and throughout the State. Pete currently serves as the Board Director of the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Field Training Officers.
Mr. Roth holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, a Master’s from Drake, and has completed the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. He is married and has two young children.
I was personally hoping that Lt. Deb Ryg (CLPD) would have made the cut. Shes awsome but the finalists all look to be highly qualified.