Fully staffed Monona PD excited to engage with community
The Monona Police Department is now fully staffed and excited to engage with the community. Pictured with police chief Mitchell Jipson (center) are new officers Sierra Fox and Jed Jones, as well as K9 Rousey. (Photo courtesy of city of Monona)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
It’s been a busy first two months on the job for Monona’s new police chief Mitchell Jipson, who’s focused on hiring officers and getting to know the community.
Jipson, who graduated from Jesup High School and earned a two-year police science degree, has a decade of experience in law enforcement spanning Black Hawk County, the University of Northern Iowa and the Guttenberg and Peosta police departments.
Family members spurred his interest in the career field.
“My uncle is still a Black Hawk County deputy, and my stepdad is a lieutenant for Waterloo P.D., so a lot of family ties in law enforcement,” Jipson said. “I got to do a lot of ride-alongs when I was younger and liked it.”
Jipson is excited to take this next step in law enforcement.
“It’s been a challenge, but it’s been fun,” he said.
He credited Monona city staff for helping him navigate a new department and new chief role while having to hire two full-time officers.
“We were kind of at a transition period where we had a couple people leaving for other opportunities, so it was a lot to take in at once,” Jipson said. “Now, It’s working itself out.”
The department recently announced the hiring of two veteran officers, Jed Jones and Sierra Fox.
An MFL MarMac graduate, Jones has two decades of law enforcement experience, most recently with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. He earned multiple certifications and trainings in that span, including advanced training in drug recognition and enforcement. Jones enjoys educating the public and fellow officers on the training he has received over the years, and has been actively involved in educating Clayton County students about the duties of peace officers and the negative effects of drugs and alcohol.
Fox is a Valley Community School graduate (now North Fayette Valley) and has served in law enforcement for 14 years. After joining the Army National Guard, she served as a military police officer, and later with local departments. Fox has held instructor certifications in active shooter response, radar/lidar and advanced interview and interrogation. She is also a K9 handler and works with K9 Rousey, who transferred to the Monona Police Department from Postville at the beginning of January.
Jipson touted the new officers’ extensive experience. It can be difficult to find that when many smaller police departments struggle to retain staff.
“I was super happy when I found out those two were interested,” he shared. “Our total years of experience for our department is 44 years. Then we have three reserves too.”
“I’m hoping I’ve got a group of people that are going to stick around and be able to engage and get to know the community,” he added.
K9 Rousey is an exciting addition as well. Rousey is a nearly two-year-old U.S. born female Belgian Malinois, and is Fox’s second K9. Rousey is a dual-purpose certified K9, meaning she has more than one job. She is trained and certified in narcotics detection, tracking and handler protection.
Jipson said Rousey has already hit the streets of Monona and assisted several agencies in locating narcotics.
“I think it’s going to be a super great thing for the community. She will also benefit neighboring towns and benefit the county,” he said.
The Monona Police Department plans to engage K9 Rousey with the community through demonstrations, events and fundraisers.
“We’re going to do T-shirts, and we’re accepting donations for the K9 because we’re having to outfit one of our new squads,” Jipson noted. “Once we get the squad outfitted, we’ll be able to show the community more of what the dog is capable of.”
The department also plans to engage with the MFL MarMac School District. Having the elementary and high school in Monona is important.
“We’re hoping to be a presence at school. I know past chiefs did a lot of that,” Jipson said.
Looking ahead, Jipson will focus on continuing to get the K9 up and running, stabilizing staffing and learning more about Monona.
“I’m learning every day. The biggest thing is to hopefully retain officers, be involved and have the K9 involved too,” he said.
