Capt. Dennis Quinn, formerly a lieutenant; Lt. Donald McLaren, formerly a sergeant; and Sgt. Evan Thompson, formerly a detective, are all eager to impart their experience to younger and less experienced officers as they take on a new role.

“They’ve shown what they can do over the years,” said Chief Roger Porter. “These guys have shown … what they provide for leadership within our department. We’re very excited to get them promoted.”

Senior District Court Judge Thomas Bice personally vouched for the character of each officer as he administered their oaths at the investiture ceremony Friday, saying they represent “a new generation of law enforcement in our community,” with education, savviness, and intimate familiarity with Fort Dodge and its communities.

“I’ve seen through my eyes personally, working with these folks, that they exude good judgement,” said Bice. “When it comes to law enforcement, that’s a very important element.”

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Capt. Dennis Quinn’s daughter, Selby Quinn, pins a new badge to his uniform at a ceremony Friday.

Often, Bice said, common sense and skilled judgement help officers differentiate between the times to “lay down the law” and the times to give more consideration and sympathy to the people they reach out to.

Quinn has been with the FDPD since 2008 and has served on the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) in addition to commanding the Criminal Investigations Division. With an associate degree from Iowa Central Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, he was glad to see his hard work recognized.

“You hope that the hard work you’ve done, the time that you’ve put in, the extra things you’ve done … eventually gets recognized to the point that you qualify for a promotion,” said Quinn. “All of it’s just a culmination of the things you’ve done in your life.”

It was proud moment for him and an emotional one for his parents in attendenace, Pamela and Art Moeller.

With experience he hopes will “rub off” on others now under his command, Quinn said he hopes to “put my stamp” on the department to move it forward in the years to come, particularly with new training.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Samantha Thompson pins a badge to her husband’s uniform at a ceremony Friday. Fort Dodge Police Department Sgt. Evan Thompson was promoted from detective after over five years of service at the department.

“No matter how much training you do, there’s always more to do,” he said. “We want more for our mental toolbox. It can never be too full.”

With 13 years at the department, McLaren was excited to fill the succession by taking Quinn’s old spot.

“It’s just been kind of a long time coming, to come up through the ranks,” he said Friday. “Being a lieutenant, I’ll have my own shift.”

McLaren, who has an associate degree in police science from Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, will have influence on about six others through his new role. He served on the SERT, as well as in patrol and investigations.

“On a daily basis, I want to have my own influence on things,” he said. “I just can have a lot more influence on some of the younger officers and move things in the right direction.”

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious Captain Dennis Quinn is sworn in as a captain for the Fort Dodge Police Department Friday. He was one of three members promoted.

Thompson, formerly a detective, has been with the FDPD since 2015. He also hopes the promotion will allow him to pass on his knowledge to others in the investigative field.

“I feel that’s very important for the citizens of Fort Dodge with some of the major crimes that we have in order to help solve those and bring justice to some of those victims in Fort Dodge,” he said.

Thompson’s experience at the department has been primarily in investigations over the last three years. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminology from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. He has also served on patrol and the SERT.