Meet the APD

Meet the team dedicated to the safety of all citizens and visitors of Atlantic. 

“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.”

President Ronald Reagan

Officers

Devin Houge

Devin Hogue

Police Chief

Devin Hogue joined the Atlantic Police Department in August of 2011. Prior to joining the APD, he worked at the Shenandoah Police Department and attended the 13th Basic Academy Class through Western Iowa Tech Community College, where he became certified as an Iowa Law Enforcement Officer. Devin attended Simpson College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Devin was promoted to the position of Lieutenant in 2016. Devin and his wife Jodie have two children, Charlie and Cullen. In the past, he spent several years as a substitute teacher with the Atlantic Community School District and has been very involved with the implementation and trainings surrounding emergency preparedness for the schools. Devin has overseen the many community programs the APD runs throughout the year since joining the department. Devin is a firearms instructor, computer voice stress analyst, and has received training to offer peer support for the department. He has also been the team leader of the Cass County Drone Team since its implementation in 2020.

Paul Wood

Paul Wood

Assistant Chief

Paul Wood joined the Atlantic Police Department in November of 2004. Prior to joining the APD, he worked for the Pella Police Department and attended the 187th basic class through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Paul attended Western Iowa Tech Community College and earned an Associate’s Degree in Police Science. Paul was promoted to the position of Sergeant in 2011 and to the position of Lieutenant in 2016. Paul has been a member of the Atlantic Fire Department since 2007. He and his wife Sara have two children, Riley and Brady. Paul has served the roles of field training officer, sexual abuse investigator, arson investigator, Taser instructor, and radar instructor for the department.

Christin Vavricek

Christin Brinker

Officer

Officer Christin Brinker joined the Atlantic Police Department as a member of the reserves in fall 2008. She served the reserves until being hired full-time in July of 2009. Officer Brinker graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminology and Sociology. Officer Brinker graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy’s 232nd basic class in April 2010.

Caleb Smith

Caleb Smith

Sergeant

Caleb K. Smith joined the Atlantic Police Department in October of 2009, and attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy where he graduated with the 236th Basic Class December of 2010. Caleb was promoted to rank of Sergeant in May, 2022. Caleb is a Field Training Officer for the department and also handles the departments training records. He has also served as a Liaison Officer for the Reserve unit and as a precision driving instructor. Caleb graduated from Red Oak High School in 2006 and continued his education at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, where he earned an Associates of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2008.  Caleb and his wife have lived in Atlantic for 12 years and enjoy being part of this community.  Caleb is an avid wrestling fan and supporter. He enjoys traveling to various wrestling tournaments around the country to watch his nephew compete.  In his free time, he enjoys coaching for the Little Trojans Wrestling Club, the Atlantic Middle School and Atlantic High School wrestling teams.

Nathan Kinney

Nathan Kinney

Officer

Officer Nathan Kinney joined the Atlantic Police Department in August, 2014. He became a Certified Atlantic Police Reserve officer in 2012. Kinney graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in April, 2015 as part of the 261st basic class, where he achieved the 300 point club for physical fitness. Prior to joining the A.P.D. he grew up on a farm South of Atlantic. Nathan and his wife Lindsey are Atlantic High School graduates from the class of 2002, together they have three boys. Kinney spends much of his free time with friends and family. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors.

Christian Holzapfel

Christian Holzapfel

Officer

Officer Holzapfel has been with the Atlantic Police department since 2013 as a Reserve Officer, and was hired as a full time officer in August 2016. Officer Holzapfel graduated from Atlantic High school in 2012. Officer Holzapfel is married and has 2 children, who he enjoys spending free time with. Officer Holzapfel will graduate from the 274th basic academy class, and enjoys time spent with Atlantic youth, criminal investigations, as well as drug interdiction. Officer Holzapfel is also one of two reserve liaison officers in the department. Some of Officer Holzapfel’s hobbies include golfing, fishing, and spending time with family.

Brock Thompson

Brock Thompson

Officer

Officer Brock L. Thompson joined the Atlantic Police Department in 2017 and graduated from the 227th class at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. He was raised in Cedar Rapids where he obtained his Associates of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Kirkwood Community College. Prior to joining the Atlantic Police Department, he swerved in the United States Marine Corps from 2012-2016. Officer Thompson enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.

Dustin Gelner

Tayte S. Schoff

Officer

Officer Tayte S. Schoff joined the Atlantic Police Department in March 2020. Prior to joining the Atlantic Police Department, Officer Schoff lived in Richland, Iowa. Officer Schoff graduated high School at Pekin Community School district in 2013. Officer Schoff then attended Indian Hills Community College and graduated in 2016 with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. In August of 2018, Officer Schoff attended the Moberly Area Law Enforcement Academy in Missouri. Officer Schoff served as a deputy in Scotland Co. Missouri in 2019 until transferring to Atlantic Police Department in 2020. Officer Schoff enjoys being outside, working out and spending time with his family.

Dustin Gelner

Jimmy James

Sergeant

Officer Jimmy James joined the Atlantic Police Department in February of 2022. Prior to joining the Atlantic Police Department he worked for the Perry Police Department and graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy with the 127th Basic class in 1992. James got out of Law Enforcement and worked for The Sports Authority as a District Loss Prevention Manager. He covered the States of Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Montana. James got back into Law Enforcement in 2014 with the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol Deputy and was promoted to Detective. He investigated Sex Abuse Cases, burglaries, attempted murder, robberies, etc. James was an FTO and has gone through extensive training on Interview and interrogation, homicide school, and crime scene controls. James also worked for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. James has 16 years of Law Enforcement experience. James moved back to the area to be closer to family and he is married with three children.

Dustin Gelner

Tony Synder

Officer

Officer Anthony Snyder joined the Atlantic Police Department in February of 2022.  He graduated from the 298th class at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.  He is a training specialist for the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau, Hazardous Materials Technician, and a State Hazardous Materials instructor.  He enjoys instructing classes, cooking, hockey, and spending time with friends and family.  Officer Snyder’s goals include becoming a law enforcement instructor to broaden his instructing abilities, share knowledge, and continue to grow within the ever changing law enforcement environment.

Reserve Officers