| Messerich Recommended for Dubuque Chief of PoliceMay 14, 2026 |
 Joe MesserichDubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen is recommending Assistant Chief of Police Joe Messerich be the next chief of police for the City of Dubuque. Van Milligen’s recommendation must be approved by the Dubuque City Council and will be presented for consideration at their Monday, May 18, regular meeting.Under the general supervision of the city manager, the chief of police serves as the executive head of the Dubuque Police Department and is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and operation of the department. The position ensures the effective delivery of public safety services, compliance with applicable federal laws, state laws, and city ordinances, community engagement, strategic planning, organizational development, and fiscal management.“Assistant Chief Joe Messerich brings more than two decades of experience within the Dubuque Police Department and a strong record of operational leadership, community partnership, and organizational stewardship,” said Van Milligen. “Joe’s leadership has contributed to Dubuque being one of the safest mid-sized cities in the country through his belief in community-oriented policing, robust use of technology, and continuous improvement.”Messerich has over 24 years of law enforcement experience. He joined the Dubuque Police Department as an officer in the patrol division in 2001. Before becoming assistant chief of police in 2022, Messerich’s previous roles within the department included:captain in the professional standards/internal affairs division (2020-2022),captain in the patrol division (2020), lieutenant in the community-oriented policing division (2018-2020), lieutenant in the patrol division (2011-2018), corporal in the criminal investigation division (2009-2011), corporal in the community-oriented policing division (2007-2009), and officer in the patrol division (2001-2007).His career with the Dubuque Police Department has included numerous special assignments, including: membership on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force, serving as a law enforcement instructor, instructing/coordinating active shooter response training, leading the Dubuque Police Explorer Post Program, supervising the department’s rifle team, squad leader on the department’s tactical entry team, serving as field training officer and supervisor, and serving as both an officer and a supervisor in the community-oriented policing division. “It would be a great honor to serve our community and the members of the police department as chief,” said Messerich. “I’m truly grateful for the support of my family, friends, and colleagues throughout my career and during this process.”Messerich is a 2023 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, receiving a graduate certificate in criminal justice education. He also completed the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police in 2021 and numerous public safety courses through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.Messerich also holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in human resource management, both from the University of Dubuque. If approved, Messerich will replace Chief of Police Jeremy Jensen who is retiring Aug. 3, 2026, after serving the police department for over 34 years, including being chief since March 2022. |
We Support Messerich to be Dubuque’s Next Police Chief
Messerich Recommended for Dubuque Chief of PoliceMay 14, 2026 Joe MesserichDubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen is recommending Assistant Chief of Police Joe Messerich be the next chief of police for the City of Dubuque. Van Milligen’s recommendation must be approved by the Dubuque City Council and will be presented for consideration at their Monday,…
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