Politics & Government
Urbandale Council Swears in New Police Officers, Notes Awards
Tuesday's Urbandale City Council meeting was the final chapter in one man's book and the start for four police officers who were welcomed to the Urbandale Police Department.
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance included in Tuesday's Urbandale City Council agenda, along with routine business.
Exiting Councilman John Forbes was honored before the meeting began with an award from Mayor Bob Andeweg for his work over the last seven years. Forbes has resigned from the council to start his role as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives.
After the presentation of the colors, police officers Joshua Button, Melissa Waalk, Ben Domeier and Curtis Blake were all sworn into the force by Andeweg.
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Button is a graduate of Dowling Catholic High School and Des Moines Area Community College. He worked as a Kohl's security guard before joining the Urbandale Police Department.
Waalk graduated from Ankeny High School and received a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. She is fluent in Spanish.
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Domeier is from Minnesota and has worked as a state Trooper before joining the Urbandale Police Force.
Curtis Blake is from Mason City and graduated from Ashford University in Clinton, IA. Blake served a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011.
Also honored Tuesday was the Urbandale Parks and Recreation Department, which received a Making a Connection award. City officials recognized Zach Martins for all his help with the project.