Iowa City police department gets its first female public information officer

Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton isn't used to being in the spotlight.

But that's all changed now as she has stepped into the role of public information officer after Sgt. Troy Kelsay's three year term.

Having been at the department since 1995, Brotherton said she decided it was time to get a new perspective and learn the ropes of the administrative side.

“It makes me more well-rounded,” she said. “I'll probably know more because I'm here when the action is coming in.”

Though she is looking forward to a day-side schedule and duties of dealing with the public and media, having her day consumed by phone calls and paperwork will be quite the contrary from her past assignments - including domestic abuse investigator, defensive tactics instructor, crime scene technician and working patrol by both bicycle and car.

“I became a police officer because I don't like to sit still,” she said. “I will go back (to patrol). But I get to get in and get a taste of it for a while and go back out.”

Her duties also will entail a planning and research element, such as gathering facts, reports and statistics for the department.

While she admitted to being nervous about the new position since it means much more time on camera, Brotherton said she will be able to take tips from her husband, Sgt. Mike Brotherton, a former public information officer.

Making her mark as the first woman in this position for the department, Brotherton doesn't think her role is anything groundbreaking for the corridor area since Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin already broke the mold.

“We stuck out at first, but now when we show up, it's just a police officer.”

Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine said though he certainly didn't hire her because of her gender, he said it could have its perks.

“In general, women are better communicators than men. Woman have some natural communication skills that men sometimes have to work at,” he said.

Hargadine said he knows Brotherton was the right fit for the job since she built a strong career on the force.

And Sgt. Kelsay, also a fifteen-year veteran, said he is ready to pass on the torch.

“She's excelled in everything she's done at the department,” he said.

Kelsay is trading his days in an office to being back patrolling the late night streets.

“Maybe it's an old officer trying to see if he can work with the youngsters,” he said, noting he finds being on patrol in a college town “rejuvenating.”

As Kelsay and Brotherton's roles reverse, Brotherton said she is ready to tackle any challenges and looks forward to making herself approachable with the public.

“It puts a face on the Police Department. We become people, not just officers,” she said.