Decorah police department swears in recruit Cale Donlin

At Monday’s Decorah City Council meeting the city and police department formally swore in Cale Donlin as a police officer for the City of Decorah.

Assistant Chief Scott Herman of the Decorah Police Department introduced Donlin, apologized that Chief Tine could not attend, and described the badge and oath as an honor. “I don’t want you to take that lightly. Okay? This is a very serious career, very serious job, but it’s also an honor,” Herman said. He encouraged Donlin to “never stop learning” and to ‘‘be nice’’ when interacting with community members.

Donlin took the oath of office on the council dais. In the recorded oath he said, “I, Cale Donlin, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and that I will faithfully and impartially … discharge all the duties of police officer in the city of Decorah, Iowa, as now or hereafter required by law.”

The department followed its customary badge-pinning tradition. Herman invited a family member to pin the badge; the mayor and assembled council members offered brief congratulations after the ceremony.

The swearing-in was recorded on the city calendar and the officer will proceed to the police academy and local field training, officials said. The council did not take separate formal action on the hiring at the meeting’s business section; the ceremony was held as part of the meeting’s opening recognitions.