by Marianne Gasaway
Mike Colby has been named as the city’s interim police chief.
Colby, who has served as a Captain for the department since 2016 was approved by the City Council Monday night. He succeeds Chief Pete Roth, who is leaving May 9 to become police chief in the Des Moines suburb of Windsor Heights. Roth has served the community since 2015.
“Words cannot express my sincere gratitude for the experience, the support, and the opportunity to serve this community as your police chief,” Roth told the City Council Monday night. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with some awesome people while employed here. The staff at the PD all participated in making the department what it is today, and I’m very confident that they will continue to provide excellent public safety service into the future.”
Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb and others thanked Roth for his contributions to the department.
“This department organizationally is a great deal better than before you came, and I certainly appreciate that. There is a chain of command that we can see and use, and it has been effective,” said Crabb.
Colby grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, graduating from Valley High School. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice leadership from William Penn University, and a Masters in Leadership Development from Drake University. He started his law enforcement career with the Clive Iowa Police Department in July of 2001 as a Police Officer. He then moved to Clear Lake with his wife and their three children in August of 2016 when he was appointed Captain.
As interim chief, Colby will receive a 15 percent pay increase.
