Sheldon, Iowa — For the fourth time in a little more than a year the City of Sheldon is conducting a search for a police officer for the Sheldon Police Department.
The latest vacancy will occur August 1st when Officer Brian Wielenga will retire after 30-years as a Sheldon officer. Sheldon Police Chief Scott Burtch says the department is currently accepting applications for an officer to fill Wielenga’s position.
(As above) “So right now we’re taking applications until August 14th, I believe it is. We’ve got a few people showing interest and hopefully we’ll be getting some applications being turned in before then.”
We asked Chief Burtch about the next step in the process, once the application deadline passes.
(As above) “So the next step is a post-test, which is a written test and then they do a physical fitness test. Then if they pass those, they’ll be invited to an interview and then we’ll do background checks after that.”
The Sheldon City Council recently eased residency requirements for police officers. The new ordinance requires Sheldon police officers to live within 25 miles of the Community Services Center. We asked Burtch if the new residency guidelines is helping in this round of officer recruitment.
(As above) “I think we’re getting some interest from people who are within that 25-miles that probably thought about applying before, but didn’t want to move. So I’m thinking this is going to help us out. At least, I hope it does.
Chief Burtch says that, while he’d like to have a new officer on the streets earlier, realistically it will be close to October, maybe November, before Wielenga’s replacement is on the job.
Wielenga’s retirement is the third from the department in a little more than one year. Officer Scott DeGoei retired last summer, Chief Lyle Bolkema retired in late November last year and Wielenga’s retirement will be effective August 1st. In addition, Officer Jett Korver left the department after four years in February this year to become an O’Brien County Sheriff’s Deputy. DeGoei’s position on the department was filled with the hiring of Officer Eric Meineke, Chief Bolkema was replaced by Chief Scott Burtch and Korver’s vacant position was filled by Officer Tim Loeschen.
