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FEBRUARY 2024

02/12/2024

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New Board Member
By Matt Mullen, ISPA Jr. Director
Cedar Rapids Local # 5

Greetings fellow Iowa State Police Association (ISPA) members. I want to take this opportunity to thank the ISPA membership for recently electing me to the ISPA board as a Junior Director at the 2023 ISPA Conference in Iowa City. As a recently elected ISPA board member, I would like to introduce myself and share a little bit about me.

I was born and raised in Iowa, spending most of my childhood in Dike. Having a father in state law enforcement meant we moved around the state a bit during my elementary years, but we landed back in Dike where I graduated from Dike-New Hartford High School in 1998. After high school, I attended Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, graduating in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, and sociology.

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REMEMBRANCES

JOHN "JONESY" JONES (1949-2023 )
LOCAL #5 CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE

EUGENE "GENE" CLERKIN (1939-2023)
LOCAL # 48 ISP POST 11

ROLAND DIPPOLD (1935-2023)
LOCAL # 19 AMES POLICE

JAMES W. COOK (1935-2023)
LOCAL # 12 WATERLOO POLICE

RICHARD S. NELSON (1932-2024)
LOCAL # 5 CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE

LARRY BODE (1947-2023)
AT-LARGE POLK CITY POLICE

CORWYN L. GRAY (1937-2023)
LOCAL #4 COUNCIL BLUFFS POLICE

Don't forget to pay your ISPA 2024 dues. Dues are considered delinquent at the end of February!

ISPA 2024 Legislative Day

By Fred Lepley, ISPA 1st Vice President
Davenport Local # 02

Greetings and Happy New Year from the ISPA!! On January 31^st the ISPA Board once again held its Legislative Day at the capital in Des Moines. We hosted a grab and go breakfast early in the morning and saw many legislators come in and speak with us about our issues.

As many of you know for the last several years, we have attempted to pass a 411-pension bill that would change and add the following:

● Changing the definition of a member in good standing
● Including cumulative injuries to be covered as workplace injuries
● Clarifying the city is responsible for all necessary medical care for work-related injuries
● Allowing police and firefighters to apply for disability benefits when work-related injuries are discovered after retiring
● Improving mental health coverage, including PTSD, and removing the unusual singular event required to trigger coverage.

Last year the bill made it through the House but died in the Senate. This year we have been working with the Senators to give them more information and answer questions they may have about the bill. CONTINUE READING

ILEA Academy Council update

By Melissa Henderson- ISPA ILEA Academy Council Representative
Cedar Rapids Local # 05

Greetings from myself, Officer Melissa Henderson from Cedar Rapids Police Department, your ISPA council representative. Thanks for the opportunity to continue to serve on the council.

Director Brady Carney from ILEA continues to do an outstanding job leading ILEA. He settled in quickly and has tried to educate himself in all aspects of ILEA. He has had a lot of things thrown at him in a short period of time. He continues to put out monthly newsletters (https://ilea.iowa.gov/policies/#newsletters) to update the law enforcement community. He has been including updates regarding the academy classes, staff updates, legislative updates, changes in procedures and reminders for all agencies. I find these newsletters very helpful.

One update that Director Carney and staff have tried to push out is keeping ILEA notified of personnel changes. All agencies are required to provide updates on all sworn personnel and dispatch personnel within ten days. CONTINUE READING

6 Reasons Why A Police Officer Should Get Help For Their Mental Health

By Stan Popovich

Many police officers underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on their health. It can be difficult to admit that you have a mental health problem in your life. Secondly, it can be just as difficult in getting the people you know to understand your situation without making any kinds of judgments.

As a result, here are six reasons why you should make your mental health an important priority in your life.

1. Your situation will improve if you get help: Your anxieties and fears can be challenging to manage and more than likely you will need some help. Just as you talk to your doctor about your regular health, you should not be hesitant in seeking help for your mental health. If left untreated, your anxieties and fears may not go away.

2. Drugs and alcohol are not the answer: Drugs and alcohol can make your problems more complicated. Many people have said that drugs and alcohol will only add more problems to your situation. Be smart and learn how to cope with your mental health issues by talking to a qualified professional. There are many health professionals in your area that can give you some ideas on where you can go for assistance.

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This is your newsletter and we would like for you to get involved. Please let us know about your promotions and new hires. Also if you have an idea for a story or would like to contribute an article email us at ispaonline@gmail.com.

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