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Meet the Graduate!

Trooper Peter Bottjen (ISP #89) recently graduated from the 54th DPS Basic Academy and is assigned to District 5 (Cherokee). Originally from Primghar, Iowa, he is a graduate of South O’Brien High School. Following High School, He attended the University of South Dakota, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

He began gaining experience in law enforcement as a student security officer at the University Police Department at the University of South Dakota. He gained practical insights into security and participated in ride-alongs with the University Police Department. He gained further experience as a Peace Officer Candidate within the Department of Public Safety.

Outside law enforcement, Trooper Bottjen enjoys working out, watching/playing sports, and spending time with his girlfriend, friends, and family.

Welcome to the Iowa State Patrol, Trooper Bottjen!

Meet The Graduate!

Trooper Carson Andreasen (ISP #151) recently graduated from the 54th DPS Basic Academy and is now assigned to District 16 (Capitol Complex). Trooper Andreasen graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He went on to graduate with an associate’s degree and continued his baseball career at Southeastern Community College.

In his spare time, he enjoys turkey hunting, fishing, farming, and working out. Working on a farm, playing sports in high school, and playing college baseball taught him hard work and dedication, and he plans to carry that throughout his career with the Iowa State Patrol. Trooper Andreasen is excited to start his career with the Iowa State Patrol and ensure the safety of citizens in Iowa.

Congratulations, Trooper Andreasen!

Congratulations to the 20 recruits that graduated last Friday from our 54th Iowa State Patrol Academy!

Want to be part of the next one? The 56th Iowa State Patrol Basic and Certified Academy applications open June 12th, 2026!

Happiest of Mother’s Day wishes from all of us at the Iowa Department of Public Safety!

Next Thursday, May 14th, we are very excited to be partnering with the Cedar Rapids Kernels for one of their games during Law Enforcement week! The game starts at 6:35pm, and we will be there with activities, handouts and our t-shirt guns. Come by and say hi to some of our Troopers and ask about our next application opening June 12th!

Special Agent Brown, with DCI's Special Enforcement Operations Bureau, and ISP Trooper Griffin represented the Department of Public Safety during a career fair at United Township High School in East Moline, IL. It was a great opportunity to engage with students and educate them about career opportunities within the department.
For more information visit DPScareers.com.

Congratulations to our most recent Baty Award winners! Recruit Hill and Recruit Cislaghi earned the award by completing the 1.5 mile run in under 9 minutes, 20 or more pullups and 80 or more sit-ups in two minutes.

Academy update! The Iowa State Patrol recruits only have four weeks to go until graduation! They recently completed the 462 Hero Workout to honor Sgt. Jim Smith. On April 8th at midnight, the class did 27 burpees, 400 meter run, 62 lunges 400 meter run, 62 push-ups, 400 meter run, 62 squats, 400 meter run, 62 sit-ups and 27 burpees. At the end of the workout, they were presented with their Academy Guidon.

The Build My Future event is a great opportunity to expose students to careers in law enforcement. We really appreciated the curiosity of the students and their eagerness to learn about various career paths.
For more information about the Department of Public Safety visit DPScareers.com.

The Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau is looking for an Impaired Driving Program Administrator to join a team dedicated to saving lives on Iowa's roads. The application closes on 4/27/2026.
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Learn more about the position and apply here: https://ow.ly/eb9u50YIs7U