About the Division of Professional Development & Support Services

The Division of Professional Development and Support Services (PDSS) was established in 2021. PDSS oversees the training of the Department's personnel, including its sworn peace officers. PDSS is also in charge of managing the sworn hiring process and running the DPS Basic and Certified Training Academies as well as CALEA Accreditation. Additionally, Professional Development and Support services houses the DPS Wellness and Support Services Bureau, which includes supervision of the Peer Support Team, Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and the Crisis Response/Therapy K9 Program.

Director Mitch Mortvedt

Director Mitch Mortvedt serves as the Director of the Division of Professional Development and Support Services. Director Mortvedt became a member of the Iowa Department of Public Safety in 1994 and was assigned to the Division of Criminal Investigation’s Gaming Bureau as a Gaming Enforcement Officer. 

In 1998, Director Mortvedt transferred to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's Major Case Unit, where he has spent the majority of his career. Director Mortvedt was promoted to Special Agent in Charge in 2009 and then to Assistant Director of the DCI's Field Operations Bureau in 2014. He served as the DCI representative on the Iowa Child Death Review team, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative team, and the Iowa Violent Death Reporting System team. 

He is also a member of and assists in coordinating the Department’s Critical Incident Stress Management team and Peer Support program. Director Mortvedt has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa.