New U.S. attorney encourages teamwork

Techau advocates collaboration among enforcement agencies

By Trish Mehaffey, The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kevin Techau, the new U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, is an avid marathon runner who works out his stress in his quiet, deliberate strides.

The sport seems to be a contradiction for him because it requires no teamwork, but he said he will be the first to promote partnerships and collaboration in his new position as a top federal prosecutor.

Techau, 55, of Cedar Rapids, said he has learned from experience that law enforcement is most successful when all agencies work together.

'I think I have always set the tone of cooperation and teamwork with federal, state and local authorities back when I was commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and will in this office,” said Techau, who formally was sworn in Friday.

By then, he already had been called upon as part of that teamwork effort.

Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman asked Techau and Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden to support him during a news conference last week as Jerman promised to battle a rise in shooting incidents and asked the community to help.

'That was just a good example of joint teamwork as we stood shoulder to shoulder and the Linn County attorney and I said we would prosecute these cases when arrests are made,” Techau said.

Guy Cook, attorney and Iowa State Bar Association president, said Friday during Techau's swearing-in that he was a remarkable person who is humble and 'goes about his work quietly.”

U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin, who nominated Techau for the post, and Chuck Grassley attended the ceremony and said they supported Techau and worked across the aisle to get his nomination through the Senate.

Techau started his new job in February, but friends, family and colleagues were invited to watch as U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade administered the oath of office again.

Techau, who grew up in Marion, said he still is getting acclimated to the office, so his goals are evolving. But he hopes to 'shine some light” on crimes that have been on the rise in recent years, such as human trafficking and heroin cases.

He plans to work with other agencies to combat and prevent the crimes.

His experience has been on defense and prosecution, and Techau thinks that gives him a good 'vantage point” coming into this job.

Techau said his defense experience gave him an opportunity to develop relationships with federal prosecutors, especially during his time with the Federal Public Defender's Office and as a trial attorney with Grefe and Sidney, a law firm in Des Moines.

His experience as a leader started with seven years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force and 18 years as an officer in the Iowa Air National Guard.

He also was director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals before leading the Iowa Department of Public Safety, which includes all state law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

During his five years with Public Safety, he implemented the Iowa Amber Alert system and Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children program.

Techau said he is looking forward to new challenges and partnerships in the federal position.

'It's an honor and privilege to serve in this job,” he said.

'This is where I can make a real impact and do work worth doing.”

Techau said he also is looking forward to getting 'back on the road” in his off time. He's in training for the New York Marathon in November.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@sourcemedia.net