ABOUT MIKE TUPPER

Mike Tupper is a respected Iowa law enforcement leader whose 32-year career has been defined by service, collaboration, and a deep commitment to community. Inspired by his younger brother Jeff, a longtime member of the Dubuque Police Department, Tupper chose a path in policing during a challenging era for new officers. While attending the University of Dubuque, he earned placement on Ottumwa’s civil service list and began his career there in 1993.

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In Ottumwa, Tupper steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as patrolman, detective, and sergeant. His leadership abilities led to his appointment as chief of police in Nevada, Iowa, in 2004. After seven years in that role, he was selected in 2011 to become Marshalltown’s chief of police—a position he would hold for more than 13 years and leave a lasting imprint upon.

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As Marshalltown’s police chief, Tupper emphasized a collaborative, people-centered approach to public safety. He expected officers to be active participants in the community they served, fostering trust through visible engagement. Under his leadership, MPD officers regularly supported blood drives, food collections for the Emergency Food Box, and numerous nonprofit and civic organizations. Tupper himself served on the boards of the House of Compassion and YSS of Marshall County and helped establish the popular “Coffee with a Cop” program to encourage open dialogue between residents and police.

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One of Tupper’s most significant accomplishments was his leadership in securing voter approval for a new, joint police and fire headquarters. Working alongside fire leadership and community advocates, he helped guide a successful bond referendum in 2016, resulting in a modern public safety facility that improved operations and safety for officers, victims, and the public.

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Tupper also championed innovation in community policing, including the development of the Marshalltown Police and Community Team (MPACT), which integrates social workers into police responses for non-criminal and crisis situations. Colleagues and community leaders consistently describe him as compassionate, steady, and deeply invested in both his officers and the people they serve.

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Upon his retirement, Tupper left with widespread admiration and gratitude. While stepping away from daily policing, his legacy in Marshalltown endures—marked by professionalism, trust, and a belief that effective law enforcement begins with genuine care for community.