HAWARDEN—Meghan Danielson is ready to make a difference in her hometown after joining the Hawarden Police Department on Aug. 22.
She and Gage Klein were hired into the police department recently after the departures of Lt. John Millikan and officer Stephanie Arroyo.
Danielson, a 20-year-old Hawarden native, has been training with police chief Corey Utech since starting Aug. 22. Danielson also began additional training Monday at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy’s basic level II course at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City.
According to Danielson, this career has been something she’s wanted to do since high school. Her interest in law enforcement originally stemmed from the shows she liked to watch, including cop dramas and mysteries such as “Criminal Minds” and “Live PD.”
Still, it was a bit of a leap of faith to pursue it as her livelihood.
“I took a big chance with this, honestly. I wasn’t too sure at first because you hear all these things about how it’s so dangerous. But I took a chance with it and so far, it’s going really well,” Danielson said. “Thankfully, it hasn’t been too crazy. Corey’s been really great, explaining everything. If he sees something, he makes sure I notice it, too, because I’m not going to see everything the way he does yet.”
In her training with Utech, she’s learned what’s expected of police officers for respectfully communicating with the public, listening and keeping emotions in check.
Meghan Danielson took her oath at the Aug. 24 Hawarden City Council meeting as the newest member of the Police Department.
She went to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, 2019-22, to obtain her degree in criminal justice. Through her training in school and on the job, she’s learned just how much of the job involves psychology.
“Growing up, you think of cops just dealing with the bad guys, the criminals. But once you really get into this, there’s a lot more going on than you expect there to be,” she said. “You don’t understand from the outside what kind of people you have to deal with.”
Danielson said it was incredible to have her hometown be the place for her first job as a police officer.
“I’m really grateful Corey gave me this opportunity. I know it’s like, she just graduated and is so young. Do I really want to take this chance on her?” she said. “I’m really thankful he did because I know I can bring a lot to this department.”
She has also been grateful for the support of her parents, Clark and Lisa Danielson. Her father thought the job would suit her well, but like any mother, her mom had some worries.
“I’m sure with time though her worries will settle a little after all of this becomes a regular thing for me and my family,” Danielson said.
