Mitchell Mortvedt
Winterset,IA
Summary
Seasoned public safety leader with over 30 years of experience in criminal investigations, executive administration, and statewide law enforcement operations. Appointed Director of the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Professional Development and Support Services, overseeing recruitment, training, accreditation, and wellness programs. Extensive background in major crime investigations, leadership, budget management, and high-profile response.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Iowa Department of Public Safety
01.2024 - 01.2026
- Appointed by the Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety
- Provided executive leadership for civilian and sworn personnel; reported directly to the Commissioner on operational, policy, and personnel matters.
- Directed statewide recruitment initiatives and the comprehensive hiring process for the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Law Enforcement Academy
- Oversaw department-wide training programs, professional development initiatives, and policy management.
- Led national accreditation and reaccreditation efforts across the entire Department.
- Supervised the Department’s Wellness Bureau, including Peer Support, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and the Crisis K9 Program.
- Advanced community engagement initiatives to strengthen public trust and departmental visibility.
Assistant Director
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.2014 - 01.2024
- Supervisor of Special Agents in Charge, including the Major Crime Unit and Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.
- Reviewed and evaluated operational requests to ensure efficiency and compliance
- Managed and approved financial operations, including a $7.9 million budget, grants, and expenditures.
- Conducted performance and conduct reviews of Special Agents and Special Agents in Charge.
- Authorized and coordinated investigative assistance to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
- Oversaw, facilitated, and conducted internal personnel investigations.
- Served as lead spokesperson on high-profile criminal investigations and officer-involved shootings, authoring media releases and coordinating press conferences.
- Supervised approximately 35 sworn personnel and 1 civilian employee.
Special Agent in Charge
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Assigned and monitored felony investigations, including but not limited to homicide, officer-involved shootings, financial exploitation, sexual assault, and public corruption investigations.
- Administered Major Crime Unit operations and field assignments.
- Coordinated regional law enforcement executive meetings (LEEM) for agency leadership.
- Supervised 17 special agents and managed criminal and regulatory gaming investigations.
- Administered Gaming Bureau operations and promotional processes for special agent positions.
- Coordinated promotional processes multiple times as related to Special Agent II positions.
Special Agent
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.1995 - 01.2009
- Conducted complex felony investigations, including homicide, kidnapping, sexual assaults, public corruption, officer-involved shootings, and financial crimes.
- Served as an instructor at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and the DPS Law Enforcement Academy.
- Acted as a Field Training Agent for newly assigned Major Crime Unit agents.
- Delivered presentations to civic groups, schools, and community organizations.
- Received multiple commendations for investigative and instructional excellence.
- Conducted criminal and regulatory background investigations related to casino operations.
- Enforced state criminal laws and the Iowa Racing and Gaming regulations.
Gaming Enforcement Officer
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Enforced state laws and gaming regulations to ensure facility security and integrity.
- Conducted employee background investigations and monitored casino surveillance operations.
Residential Officer
6th Judicial District Halfway House
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Supervised convicted residents transitioning back into the community.
- Conducted facility security, employment checks, and compliance checks.
Education
CERTIFIED PUBLIC MANAGER (CPM) -
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
Des Moines, IA01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology, Sociology
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA05-1993
Skills
- Policy writing
- Operational management
- Personnel oversight
- Training program development
- Accreditation management
- Budget management
- Community engagement
- Performance evaluation
- Crisis management
- Investigative analysis
- Resource allocation
Organizations
1998 - 2026 Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (LEIN)
2008 - 2024 Iowa Child Death Review Team
State Government Liaison for the Iowa Department of Public Safety
2016 - 2022 Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
Assisted in developing the protocol and process for testing the backlog of untested
sexual assault kits in Iowa
2021 - 2022 Leadership Iowa - Sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Class participant
2014 - 2016 Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Task Force Member
Chosen to represent law enforcement statewide in reviewing policy and practice of MDT's
used for the assessments of abuse investigations. Sponsored by Iowa Department of
Health and Human Services and Iowa State University.
2011 - 2014 Southwest Iowa Child Protection Team
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation representative that reviews child abuse and sexual
abuse investigations.
Timeline
Director
Iowa Department of Public Safety
01.2024 - 01.2026
Assistant Director
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.2014 - 01.2024
Special Agent in Charge
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.2009 - 01.2014
Special Agent
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.1995 - 01.2009
Gaming Enforcement Officer
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
01.1994 - 01.1995
Residential Officer
6th Judicial District Halfway House
01.1993 - 01.1994
CERTIFIED PUBLIC MANAGER (CPM) -
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology, Sociology
University of Northern Iowa