Creston PD promotes two

Two Creston police officers were promoted to sergeant Tuesday after city council approved the motion.

Sergeants Mike Walsh and Patrick Roche have been with the Creston Police Department since 2018 and 2020, respectively. The vacancy fills holes left by promotions to lieutenant and a resignation.

Both officers are trained in Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and are standard field sobriety instructors. Both have four-year degrees in criminal justice, Walsh’s from Iowa State University in 2018 and Roche’s from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville in 2017.

“A sergeant will manage a group of officers, supervise their duties,” Creston Lieutenant Shannon Arends said. “They can be involved in assigning different cases, tracking their reports. They report inefficiencies and will be involved in disciplinary actions or handle complaints if necessary. On the positive side, they can also be involved in commendations for other officers.”

As the defensive tactics instructor, Walsh has already been in a peer leadership role within the department. The DT instructor leads the department in training sessions to practice new techniques.

“He always has a positive attitude,” Arends said of Walsh. “One of the things most of the officers repeatedly talk about is how he comes to work with a smile on his face. That attitude is contagious. It helps keep everyone positive. That’s a must in our line of work.”

At the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Walsh was awarded the 300-point club, the highest physical excellence award. In order to achieve the title, the recruit must run 1.5 miles in under 9 minutes, complete 80 or more sit-ups in two minutes and do 20 or more pull-ups.

Roche comes into the position as one of only 120 Drug Recognition Experts in Iowa. “He’s gained a lot of respect,” Arends said. “He’s taken a proactive role in OWI enforcement. His stats are leading in the office right now as far as making cases. I think that he’ll do a good job being able to manage his duties as well. Patrick likes to stay busy.”

Before coming to the department, Roche served eight years in the Marine Corps as a rifleman where he got out as a sergeant. During his time there, he earned a Navy Achievement Medal.

“His military background helped him out as well for the role of sergeant,” Arends said. “He’s a mature guy, both he and Mike tend to make good decisions and use proper resources to make those decisions. One of the things appealing is they can make decisions without hesitating, but they also evaluate thoroughly.”

On July 21, a two-vehicle accident east of Afton on Highway 34 required the city’s assistance. Roche went to the scene where he assisted medics and Union County Deputy Dan McNeill on what would eventually result in three fatalities.

Arends said Roche was excellent on scene. “It was a trying situation that would have tested most any officer. No matter how long you’ve been on the job, it’s terrible. He remained calm during the whole thing,” he said. “One of the things that impressed me most was how he was constantly doing things, helping the medics and whatever was needed. He instantly did it. It was pretty impressive to keep his cool and assist as much as he did in that type of a situation.”

Arends recommended both Roche and McNeill for commendations for their actions.

The department structure consists of the chief, two lieutenants, two sergeants and seven officers.

“I think that they’ll do a good job for Creston and the community,” Arends said. “They’ll help monitor things well. Both of them possess leadership qualities and that will bleed over into their new roles. I see nothing but good things coming out of this.”