Jasper County Sheriff’s Office hires new deputy

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office has a new deputy in Colton Schwenke.

Schwenke was born and raised in Sigourney and attended Kirkwood Community College where he got his associates degree and then transferred to Iowa State University graduating in December 2018 with a bachelors in criminal justice studies.

It wasn’t until Schwenke was in college that he discovered law enforcement was the career he wanted to pursue.

“My freshman year in college I kind of decided that I would like to be an officer,” he said.

Schwenke has recently moved to Newton as he starts his training with a Field Training Officer (FTO) before he goes to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. The FTO is there to guide the deputy and teach him how to operate as a law enforcement official.

“A lot of the interactions are what I have enjoyed so far,” Schwenke said of his time with the JCSO. “To have that kind of training to where when we do learn that section in the academy it feels a little bit more natural.”

Scwhenke said he plans on being in Jasper County for as long as he can possible be.

“I really enjoy being here so I plan on being here for the longest I can be ... No plans on leaving,” he said.

Schwenke said he is pretty laid back and easy to talk to. Not being from Jasper County means he will be a new face to the public.

“I am not a bad guy, I’m here to help the public stay safe,” Schwenke said.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said Schwenke performed well during the testing portion of becoming a deputy with the sheriff’s office.

“He excelled during the testing process, and we are excited to give him the opportunity to become a Jasper County Deputy,” Halferty said.

Schwenke will be attending the ILEA at the end of August and come back to the JCSO to continue his probationary period.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com