Police department adds new officers

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

A couple of new officers have been patrolling the community in recent months.

Officers John Jenkins and Luke Chatfield were hired as full-time Charles City officers.

Jenkins joined the CCPD last August and completed his police academy training at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo this past May. Chatfield was hired in April of this year and did his academy training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, where he graduated in January.

Jenkins is a 2013 Osage High School graduate and won the Top Shot Award during his training to be an officer, making 383 targets out of 400 shots to win that award. He said there were 100 qualifying rounds with a rifle, 100 with a shotgun and 200 with a pistol.

Jenkins graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2017. He majored in engineering with a minor in political science and forensic investigation. It was shortly after his time in Wisconsin that he decided he wanted to become a police officer.

“I took a criminal justice class and I like my country. I have enjoyed it ever since and never looked back,” said Jenkins.

Chatfield has served over 12 years in the Iowa Army National Guard and has an extensive military background. He has served two tours in Afghanistan, one in 2004-2005 and the other coming in 2010-2011.

“I’m looking forward to serving the community I grew up in and hopefully make a difference,” said Chatfield.

Chatfield is a 2003 Charles City High School grad and has been a volunteer member of the Floyd Fire Department since 2002. He was initially hired as a reserve police officer the day after Christmas in 2017.