The Carroll Police Department welcomed its newest officer earlier this week, Tricia Wolterman. Carroll Mayor Jerry Fleshner administered the oath of office to Wolterman at Monday’s Carroll City Council meeting, with a large crowd of family and friends in attendance. Wolterman says that group is part of the reason she was so excited to accept the position, as this area is home to her.
Wolterman’s path to a law enforcement career was an unconventional one. She has known since childhood that she wanted to help people and tried several different careers before joining the Carroll Police Department.
After graduating from Ar-We-Va in 2020, Wolterman attended DMACC and became a certified nursing assistant (CNA), later heading to New York for a stint as a traveling CNA. She quickly realized western Iowa was the place for her and returned, transitioning to dentistry for a time. She says law enforcement remained a thought at the back of her mind, and decided to make the switch when she saw the opening with the City of Carroll. Wolterman will be the department’s first female officer since Sgt. JJ Schreck’s early retirement in 2020. Wolterman hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the force, and Police Chief Brad Burke says her presence will help navigate some of the more sensitive calls.
Wolterman will spend the next five weeks rotating through the different shifts, familiarizing herself with the various patrol routines, equipment, and general operations. She is scheduled to attend the 16-week Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) on May 4 as part of the 327th and 328th Basic Classes.
