Fort Dodge Police Officer Paul Samuelson was promoted to sergeant Monday night by the City Council.

Samuelson, one of the department’s two K-9 officers, has been with the Police Department since 2015, but he has about 23 years of law enforcement experience. He previously worked for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department and the police departments in Storm Lake, Aurelia, Manchester and the former Callender-Otho Police Department. He also worked for the Rabiner Treatment Center. Additionally, he owns North Iowa K-9, a police dog training business.

He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He is a master trainer for police dogs.

Police Chief Roger Porter told the council Monday that Samuelson was “already an informal leader” before Monday’s promotion.