Captain Joe Schaffer graduated from Graceland University in 1996 with a Sociology / Criminal Justice degree. He attended the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2007. He is a lifelong resident of Ankeny and has been employed by the City of Ankeny since 1996. During his career, Captain Schaffer has been a patrol officer, DARE officer, field training officer, DEA Task Force officer, narcotics detective, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and operations (patrol) captain. He is currently assigned as the support services captain.