MASON CITY – After 30 years in policing and having served as Police Chief at the Mason City Police Department (MCPD) since January 2016, Chief Jeff Brinkley has announced his retirement.
Prior to joining MCPD (he was selected from a list of 9 candidates that were approved by the Mason City Civil Service Commission in November of 2015), Chief Brinkley served as a patrol officer with the University of Northern Iowa Department of Public Safety and spent nearly 20 years at the Ames Police Department where he was a police officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. He returned to North Iowa in 2016 following the retirement of then-Chief Mike Lashbrook.
Brinkley (pictured at top) notified MCPD personnel and city officials of his intent to retire earlier this month. In sharing that news, Brinkley reflected, “I would have never guessed I would have had the opportunity to do the things that I have done as a police officer. I have thoroughly enjoyed my policing career and am grateful for the people who placed their trust in me as a police officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief for the past three decades.”
In his retirement letter, Brinkley credited the partnership of the Mayors and City Councils, and members of City Administration for supporting the work that the MCPD does each day in our community, while noting “that kind of support does not happen everywhere and I have grown to appreciate it during my tenure.”
Chief Brinkley’s retirement is effective November 14, 2025.