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Johnston City recognizes three police officers; one promoted to corporal
Summary
Johnston City honored three members of its police department for service and advancement: a sergeant received a meritorious service commendation, Officer John Alexander was promoted to corporal, and Officer Ben Landis was recognized after completing the state academy and joining the department.
A Johnston City ceremony on May 17 recognized three Johnston Police Department employees for service, community work and advancement, the council heard.
A department representative presented a meritorious service commendation to a sergeant for long-running community engagement work, including developing a citizens academy and coordinating signature events such as a charity barbecue that supported student travel through the Johnston Sister City Initiative. The representative said the sergeant’s “community policing efforts set a high bar and position the department for continued success in these areas.”
Officer John Alexander was promoted to the rank of corporal. Staff described Alexander’s law enforcement background, noting he began his career in Polk County Jail in 2008, joined the Johnston Police Department in 2011, returned to the department on July 1, 2024, after recovering from an on-duty injury, and has served as a field training officer and instructor. As part of the promotion the mayor administered the oath of office.
The council also recognized Officer Ben Landis, who was hired by the Johnston Police Department in February 2025 after graduating from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Staff noted Landis’s academic background—he graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016 and later earned master’s degrees—and described his community-focused motivation for becoming an officer.
The recognitions were the only scheduled public communications item on the council agenda; council members thanked the department and the staff who support community programs.
The meeting moved on after the presentations.
