On Monday, June 6, 2022, Mayor Paula Dierenfeld swore in two new Johnston police officers and one civilian. The department proudly welcomes Officer Rodriguez, Officer Sienkiewicz and Jason Hill.
Officer Rodriguez was hired by the Johnston Police Department in February 2022. Since then, she has attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy's Level 2 basic training academy at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo. On May 27, she completed her academy training - finishing top of her class academically and receiving the class's scholastic achievement award.
She grew up in Central Iowa and graduated from East High School in Des Moines. She received a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Iowa State University.
Officer Rodriguez was previously employed with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and has also been an intern with the Iowa State University Police Department and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. She is fluent in Spanish.
Officer Sienkiewicz was hired by the Johnston Police Department in May. He is a lateral transfer candidate and seasoned veteran, previously employed with the Perry Police Department for eight years. He served as a reserve police officer in Pleasant Hill and has also served as a part-time firefighter/EMT with the City of West Des Moines Fire Department.
He is a graduate of Johnston High School and received an associate's degree in Criminal Justice from DMACC. Officer Sienkiewicz has professional experience working as a patrol officer, School Resource Officer, and Detective.
Officer Sienkiewicz is looking forward to working in a larger department with advancement opportunities. He looks forward to embracing the Johnston Police Department's mission and our approach to building a strong community through proactive outreach.
Jason Hill joined the Johnston Police and Johnston-Grimes Fire Departments as a Public Safety Support Specialist in June 2022. This new position was a budget priority in fiscal year 2023.
Jason's role will focus on providing technical assistance in network, technology, fleet technology, hardware, software, facilities maintenance, and automated process improvement.
Jason is well-versed in each of these areas and municipal services, having worked as an IT Administrator, Senior Business Systems Consultant, and Network Analyst in other metropolitan communities for the last fifteen years. Jason also has prior experience assisting law enforcement with criminal forensic investigations and is proficient in all city departments' operations and technologies, especially the police, fire, EMS, and 911 dispatching.
The department looks forward to the experience and perspective he will bring as we examine our public safety technologies and applications.