Benchmarks

Ankeny's First Female Police Officer

Joyce LundstromJoyce Lundstrom was a longtime resident of Ankeny. Career mom to four and dependable volunteer in many civic organizations. In 1967 Joyce was hired as the Ankeny Police Department's first full-time dispatcher. Later she became the first female officer in 1974 and retired as a detective in 1994. Joyce was the "officer mother" to the young officers and did her best to provide advice and guidance. She was instrumental in developing the juvenile section and served as the first juvenile offer in the schools. She cared about the families and the children that she came in contact with, providing counseling and direction to parents and youth. Her passion for the Ankeny community was also evident as she served on various committees, programs, and boards as well as with other law enforcement agencies in the metro area. Her positive attitude and cheerful outlook were contagious, and folks enjoyed serving with her on projects.

Ankeny's Longest Serving Officer

Bruce ChristensenBruce Christensen started his career at the Ankeny Police Department on September 8, 1980, and served 39 years with the department, which makes him the longest-serving officer in APD history. He started working at the APD in October 1980 with just 18 sworn officers, the City's population was just over 15,000. Today, the department has 68 sworn officers, and Ankeny's population has surpassed 65,000. Officer Christensen had many assignments over the years, including patrol officer, narcotics investigator, detective, D.A.R.E. instructor, field training officer, school resource officer, firearms instructor, and he frequently filled in as the acting sergeant for his shift.