Becoming a Trail-Blazer

Behind the desk of Denise (Schaffer) Brotherton ’94, ’20 MACJ hangs a 1970 recruiting flyer for the Iowa City Police Department. The first job requirement on the list? Male.

Currently the commander of field operations at the Iowa City Police Department, Denise started her career in 1995 on uniformed patrol and assignments within the detective section. She was promoted to sergeant in 2008, lieutenant in 2015, and captain in 2018.

“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.”

In her current role, she leads the patrol and detective sections with four lieutenants and the commander of the special response team.

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.