MPD hosts ‘Coffee with a Cop’ at Hy-Vee

From patrol officers to lieutenants to Police Chief Mike Tupper, members of the Marshalltown Police Department turned out to meet area residents over coffee and doughnuts at the "Coffee with a Cop" event Tuesday morning at the Marshalltown Hy-Vee.

Lt. A.J. Accola, who coordinates the program, said it is an effective way to get to know residents on an informal basis. The MPD has hosted numerous "Coffee with a Cop" events at a variety of Marshalltown coffee shops and restaurants over the years.

Joining Accola and Lt. Tricia Thein Tuesday in a conversation about policing and local news was city councilor Al Hoop, a longtime Marshalltown resident who has represented Marshalltown's Fourth Ward for 16 years.

"I make an effort to stop at these 'Coffee with a Cop,'" he said." I wish more residents would have taken advantage of today's opportunity to meet and get to know members of the MPD."

Hoop estimated about 20 residents attended. Concerning local policing, Thein said the MPD is eager to add two more policemen to bring the department up to full strength.

"The competition to find individuals who want to serve in law enforcement is challenging nationally and in Iowa," she said. "It used to be (that) the department could draw from a pool of applicants locally, (but) now we have to do more outreach."

The veteran policewoman said Marshalltown often competes for candidates against Des Moines and its suburbs because they offer significant incentives. Over the years, the Marshalltown city council has voted affirmatively to support the MPD's efforts in offering incentives to attract candidates.

The new, state-of-the art facility housing the Marshalltown Police Department/Marshalltown Fire Department and E911 operations in the 900 block of South Second St. opened nearly four years ago. It is a major asset in retaining and recruiting candidates who wish to work in those fields, the MPD officers said.

Accola said he too is looking forward to the MPD being at full strength so the department can resume its bicycle patrol.

"Our bicycle patrols are an effective deterrent against crime and also effective in apprehending criminals," he said. "Our patrols have identified criminal activity in a number of places because of the element of surprise."

On another subject impacting the MPD, Capt. Kiel Stevenson said the department is grateful for the community's response to raise money for the department to purchase a second K9 to aid in law enforcement efforts.

"Marshalltown area residents have been generous," he said. "We have raised $23,000 of our $30,000 goal."

The more than a dozen officers present at Hy-Vee were wearing black patches over their badges in honor of their late colleague, Capt. Brian Batterson.

Batterson, 56, passed away April 6, having retired from the MPD in June last year.

"Capt. Batterson was an outstanding policeman and a tremendous resource for the department," Tupper said. "He had been suffering health issues for a while, and it is a shame he did not get to enjoy more of his well-earned retirement.