In the month that celebrated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, it is nice to know that the citizens of Clarion have a few more people to appreciate as the local police department gets back up to being fully staffed. Recently officers Mike Knapp and Austin Biggs started with the department, and both are enjoying the job so far.
Both officers were hired in the middle of 2020 and then spent a few months at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy before returning to Clarion last fall. They have now completed their Field Training and will be able to settle into a normal routine.
Officer Mike Knapp is enjoying working just down the road from his old stomping ground. Originally from Mason City, his family eventually moved to the Belmond area where he graduated from Belmond-Klemme High School. He then earned his associate degree from NIACC in criminal justice and then made his way to Iowa State University to complete his bachelor's degree in that field.
Knapp said he always wanted to be in law enforcement and that his mom still has photos of him playing cops when he was three years old. Over the years, that desire to help people always hung with him. He added that he like the idea of starting out his career somewhat close to home and that he knew some officers and deputies in the area, so applying for a job in Clarion seemed a good fit.
In the first months on the job, Knapp emphasized that he’s already learned a lot. “Everyone in the department is very helpful and great about answering questions.” He looks forward to growing and evolving in the ever changing world of police work and hopes to especially become a good narcotics officer.
So far, his favorite aspect of the job has been interacting with the community. “You sometimes see people at their worst, but I like that I can help them and make situations better for people as well in this job,” Knapp noted.
New officer Austin Biggs also said he enjoyed the community connections that this job facilitates. Biggs is from Webster City originally. He said his first ambition had been to teach history and coach, but over time, law enforcement began to appeal to him more. He noted he has a rich family history of military service so the idea of serving others was in his blood.
After high school, he attended DMACC to get his associates degree in criminal justice and then also moved on for a bachelors at Iowa State. When it came time to look for a job, Biggs said he sent his resume out to various places, but when he visited Clarion and met Chief Steve TerHark, he felt that the community would be a good fit.
Though Biggs is still relatively new to the department and town, he’s convinced it will be a great beginning to a career. “There are a lot of good guys on the staff,” he said. “We have a good culture that pushes teaching and not competition.”
Both new officers acknowledge that policing has become a more complicated job over the last few years and that public scrutiny adds to the challenges. But Biggs and Knapp say they are enjoying most aspects of being a Clarion officer. “Sometimes you have to deal with difficult people but sometimes you’re helping someone in need,” said Biggs.
Chief TerHark is happy with what he is seeing so far from his new officers. “They’re young and have a lot to learn, but they are adapting quickly,” he added.
When they’re not patrolling the streets of Clarion, both men stay busy. Knapp enjoys working on cars and target shooting as well as fishing. Biggs can be found watching sports, playing video games and listening to music on his vinyl record player.
As both officers get more hours under their belt, they look forward to meeting more Clarionites. They invite people to introduce themselves and say hello when they’re out and about protecting and serving.
