成为一名开拓者

Behind the desk of Denise (Schaffer) Brotherton ’94, ’20 MACJ hangs a 1970 recruiting flyer for the Iowa City Police Department. 清单上的第一个工作要求是什么？ 男性。

丹尼斯目前是爱荷华市警察局的外勤行动指挥官，她的职业生涯始于1995年的制服巡逻和侦探部门的任务。 她于2008年晋升为中士，2015年晋升为中尉，2018年晋升为上尉。

“I was the first female in the history of the department to achieve the rank of lieutenant and captain,” said Denise.

“I was the first female in the history of the department to achieve the rank of lieutenant and captain.”

在她目前的职位上，她与四名中尉和特别反应小组指挥官一起领导巡逻和侦探部门。

Denise credits Mount Mercy’s MACJ program (now the criminal justice MSL emphasis) in gaining the knowledge and experience she needed to continue to excel in her career.

“The research methods I learned and the exposure I had to current issues and practices in my field assisted me in determining best practices for the police department to better serve the community,” said Denise.

In her 26 years with the department, Denise’s proudest accomplishment—besides breaking gender barriers—was being selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

“The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for United States and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads due to demonstrated leadership qualities,” Denise explained.

In the nomination letter to the FBI, ICPD Chief Samuel Hargadine listed several of Denise’s awards, responsibilities, and professional accomplishments that speak to her strong leadership skills and passion for justice.

“She has excelled in patrol, investigative, and staff assignments, and she will take part in the future of our department,” said Chief Hargadine.