Creating a new law enforcement agency can seem overwhelming, yet Sgt. Mike Hynes from the Johnson County sheriff’s office has embraced this challenge with enthusiasm. Taking the helm of the Tiffin patrol division since July of the previous year, Hynes voiced his eagerness to build an organization that rests on a foundation of positive interactions between the police and the community. He elaborated, ‘Our engagement with the local community, be it in public relations or otherwise, has increased twofold in comparison to enforcement efforts.’ At 45, Hynes seeks to humanize law enforcement by urging the community to see past their uniforms.
Furthermore, Hynes has a firm sense of belonging to the Tiffin community, seeing his role as much more than just serving it. Alongside Deputy Cody O’Hare, Hynes has been striving to strengthen their relationships with various stakeholders – businesses, schools, city authorities, and community members. Their efforts commenced after the ratification of a five-year agreement between Tiffin and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office last July.
The sheriff’s office of Johnson County collaborates with several minor cities within the county to deliver law enforcement services. This model saves these small communities from financing independent departments. However, as Tiffin experienced accelerated growth, conversations began about how to offer more stable protection for the citizenry.
Sheriff Brad Kunkel recognizes Hynes’ substantial responsibilities as the prominent figure for this new division and was confident in his suitability for this challenge. ‘Sgt. Hynes has an excellent track record of taking his roles very seriously and is unafraid of the complexities inherent in his tasks,’ Kunkel shared. As Hynes has served for almost a decade with the sheriff’s office, he demonstrated an interest early and had well-rounded and deep-rooted experience crucial for this role.
Hynes’ history with the department, as well as the dozen years he served with the Chicago Police Department, offered him a distinct perspective and varied experiences. He became a part of the sheriff’s office in 2004, ventured to Chicago in 2007, and finally returned in 2019. ‘I was eager for new experiences and the allure of working in a more urban setting,’ Hynes recalled.
When Hynes initially enlisted in Johnson County, he was assigned to the jail like every other recruit. He wasn’t always a law enforcer, though. Hynes hailed from the outskirts of Peoria, Illinois, attended the University of Iowa, and graduated with a degree in health promotion specializing in healthcare rehabilitation and prevention. After his graduation, he tried his hand at working as a personal fitness trainer and running a fitness facility’s operations daily.
However, Hynes soon realized this career path was not suited to him. At the recommendation of his deputy friend, he applied, got accepted, and found himself employed in the jail while also functioning in both the recovery dive team and the special response team. He eventually transitioned to the Chicago department where he served in diverse communities, gaining precious insights into connecting with various cultures throughout the expansive city.
Hynes’ assignments often rotated, one week he might find himself working in a Polish neighborhood, then in Chinatown, or perhaps a Hispanic district the following week. While Tiffin may not offer such cultural diversity, these experiences equipped Hynes with the ability to adapt and respond appropriately, a skill set that has come in handy in his current leadership role.
His decision to bid farewell to Chicago in 2019 was influenced by growing levels of violence and crime. The need to reside within the city’s boundaries further convinced him and his wife to consider relocating for their family’s betterment. His time in Chicago, however, was far from wasteful; it continued to benefit him upon his return to Johnson County, where he put his refined training, such as crowd control, to good use.
For instance, his expertise on crowd control was instrumental in preparing Iowa City for the protests that followed the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. Upon his return to Johnson County, Hynes resumed working in the prison and held a supervisory role when he interviewed to spearhead the Tiffin division. Within the past year, he has noticed a tangible difference made by their collective efforts in Tiffin.
Their presence isn’t unnoticed by the locals, either, especially the business owners. The officers’ consistent visibility encourages local businesses to feel more comfortable in discussing potential problems and assisting with situations as needed. With regards to assaults and other criminal activities in Tiffin, these have been remarkably low, according to Hynes. He has noted a decline in the number of speeding incidents on Park Road, while the most frequent infractions involve drunk driving, theft, and disruptive behavior calls.
Of course, there have been unpredictable tasks to handle as well. An amusing incident from the previous week involved a roaming cow. Hynes jokingly admitted his cluelessness about how to manage such a situation, where he had reports of a runaway cow trotting through people’s yards in the northwest side and then spotted along Highway 6. Thankfully, the owner managed to track down the bovine before Hynes could even reach them.
Hynes happily anticipates the growth of the division as two more deputies will join in July, assuming full-time positions for the night shift. Hynes and O’Hare will persist in their day shift roles. Further expansion is expected with two more deputies joining the following fiscal year, as stipulated in the five-year agreement with the city. Reflecting on his 21 years in law enforcement, Hynes expressed how this has been among the most gratifying experiences, though he stressed the significance of finding the right individual for such challenging roles.
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