SPENCER, IA (Northwestiowanow) – The state of Iowa prohibits Police Chiefs from hiring family members. The Estherville city council Monday night voted to make an exception because of a tight job market.

Chief Brent Shatto says his department routinely operates at two to four officers below capacity, and he’s looking for qualified candidates anywhere he can find them.

 

 

City Manager Penny Clayton says the top candidate right now is the chief’s wife – Tera Shatto – who recently tested well, and has 20 years of experience as a dispatcher for the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department.

Shatto, set to retire in early 2027, said the department is now recruiting at local high schools and colleges to build a more sustainable pipeline of future officers.