Chief Michael Halse

Serving since 1982

Michael Halse started his law enforcement career in Decorah, Iowa, working as a reserve officer for the Decorah Police Department and a part-time officer for the City of Janesville while attending college. He graduated from Hawkeye Community College with a degree in Police Science in 1982. He attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and was hired as Police Chief in Calmar, Iowa in 1982. Chief Halse has served the citizens of Postville as Police Chief since 1992 and has been a volunteer with the Postville Fire Department since 1991.

Chief Halse has attended many police and crime prevention related training courses. He trained with and was a member of the Clayton County Special Operations Group. Mike became a DARE instructor in 1996 and continues teaching DARE to the Postville 5th and 7th graders.

In his spare time away from work, Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing and camping. Once his children were grown, Mike became a mentor with the Northeast Iowa Mentoring Program. He enjoys spending time with other kids.

Chief Halse believes in equality and fair treatment of all. Residents and law enforcement working together will make a bigger impact against crime.

Ted Jacobsen

Officer Jacobsen is a five year veteran of the Postville Police Department. Ted attended Western Illinois University, where he obtained a Bachelorss Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Ted began his law enforcement career with the Davenport Police Department, and graduated from the 166th Basic Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in December of 1998. Ted served three years in the Patrol Division with the Davenport Police Department prior to joining the Postville Police Department.

Ted has received several certifications and has continually attended multiple trainings throughout his career in law enforcement including; Spanish for Cops, Reid Technique for Interview and Interrogations; Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations Interview and Interrogation School as well as various drug and narcotics seminars. As a member of the Tri River Area Special Operations Team, he has received extensive training in tactical operations and firearms, including Center Axis Relock shooting and Less Lethal Munitions. Ted also is a certified Child Safety Seat Technician.

In his spare time, Ted enjoys lifting weights and playing football and basketball. He also is an avid follower of mixed martial arts and is a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan. Ted is the youngest of 13 children, which include three brothers who are also involved in law enforcement.

Nick Hazel

Prior to coming to Postville, Nick was enlisted with the Iowa Army National Guard from 1997 to 2003. He was a Cavalry Scout with the 1st/113th Cavalry in LeMars, Iowa and later transferred to another Cavalry unit in Johnston, Iowa. In 2001, Nick was deployed to Kuwait for a security mission. He earned several awards during his time with the Guard, including the Iowa Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Nick was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2002.

Nick began his career in Law Enforcement in 2001 as a Detention Officer at the Story County Sheriff's Office. He was also a diver with the Underwater Search and Rescue Team.

Nick was hired by the Postville Police Department in July of 2003. He graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy''s 195th Basic Academy Class in December of 2003. Nick is an Operator on both the Allamakee Law Enforcement Response Team (A.L.E.R.T.) and the Tri-River Area Special Operations Team (T.R.A. – S.O.T.). He is certified in basic Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), open site rifle, taser and clandestine lab response (meth lab clean up). Nick has been involved in many high risk search warrants and narcotics cases in Postville and the surrounding areas, including warrants in chemical environments caused by the manufacturing of meth. He has attended several schools for narcotics investigations including Highway Drug Investigations and Informant Development. He also attended a Spanish for Law Enforcement course.

Nick is a second generation police officer, following in his father's footsteps. His father, Randy, is a police officer in Alta, Iowa.

Mitch Seitz

Mitch Seitz is a graduate of North Fayette High School in West Union, Iowa. He attended Iowa Central Community College and studied Criminal Justice.

Mitch began his law enforcement career with the Lansing and New Albin Police Departments in 2004. He graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, 206th Basic in 2005 and received his certification to be a Peace Officer in the State of Iowa. In September, 2006, Mitch accepted a full-time Police Officer position with the Lansing Police Department. In October, 2006, Mitch received a Clandestine Laboratory Certification from Midwest Counterdrug Training Center where he was trained in the entry, clean-up and investigations of hidden methamphetamine labs. Mitch also began serving as a Reserve Police Officer with the Postville and West Union Police Departments. On March 1, 2007, Mitch accepted a full-time Police Officer position with the Postville Police Department. Mitch is the Assistant Team Leader of the Allamakee Law Enforcement Response Team (A.L.E.R.T.). Mitch is extensively trained in several areas of firearms and tactical procedures including basic Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.).

Mitch's parents live in West Union. He has three brothers. His older brother, Matt, is also in law enforcement.

In his spare time, Mitch enjoys spending time with friends, working out, watching high school and college football and spending time with his family.

The Postville Police Department has recently received an opportunity to purchase a police K-9 at a reduced price. The dog is a male Yellow Labrador named "Kilo" and is currently 9 months old. Kilo will be extensively trained in narcotics detection by Brodie K-9 Center in Liberty, Tennessee; a certified dog trainer. Kilo will not be trained as an "attack dog." Kilo would be used primarily for the detection of narcotics and would also be used for educational purposes for school children, along with community demonstrations.

Due to the increasing drug problem in our community, we feel this would be an encouraging feature to the City of Postville and its citizens in attempting to fight this ever growing problem.

The Postville Police Department is attempting to raise money through community donations to make this vast opportunity a reality. Any donations raised will be recognized in the local newspaper, unless otherwise noted. All donations will be used for Kilo's required training and care. If you would like to assist the community in this opportunity, your donation would be greatly appreciated.

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