Clinton Police Department swears in three new officers

Mayor Scott Madison and Deputy Chief Blauer administered the oath of office to three new Clinton police officers during the Jan. 14 council meeting.

Deputy Chief Blauer introduced the new hires — Officer Kelsey Stoddard, Officer Michael Barger and Officer Jordan Lawrence — and provided brief biographical remarks. Stoddard, a Clinton High School alumna, joined the department as a public service officer in June 2017 and was hired as a sworn officer in August 2023 after graduating from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in April 2024; she and her husband are expecting their first child this May. Barger, a Clinton native and Iowa State graduate, previously served in the U.S. Army, the Illinois Police Academy and worked for the Erie Police Department before joining Clinton in August 2024. Lawrence, who graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in December 2024, is assigned to patrol.

Mayor Madison administered the oath and family members joined officers for pinning and photographs. Deputy Chief Blauer thanked city leadership and staff for their continued support of recruiting efforts and welcomed the officers to the community. The record shows the oath was administered and the new officers introduced to the council and public; no formal council action (vote) was required for the swearing-in event recorded in the meeting transcript.