Waukon High School graduate Konnor Krambeer recently introduced as one of Iowa State Patrol’s newest Troopers
Trooper Konnor Krambeer ... Photo courtesy of the Iowa State Patrol.
The Iowa State Patrol has recently introduced its latest graduating class from the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) Basic Training Academy. That graduation event took place Friday, December 19 in Pleasant Hill and included 2021 Waukon High School graduate Konnor Krambeer, who has now been assigned as a Trooper to District 8 of the Iowa State Patrol, headquartered out of Mason City.
As part of the 20-week training academy, Krambeer received his Iowa State Patrol badge number (ISP #471) in November from Colonel Nathan Fulk, Chief of the Iowa State Patrol based in Des Moines. The training academy was held at the Camp Dodge military facility in Johnston each week day for that 20-week period.
The Basic Academy involves both mental and physical training. Although the mental area primarily relates to academics, it also challenges individual alertness, emotional stability, and the desire to perform the job. The physical aspect of the training emphasizes such activities as defensive tactics, physical training, and military drill and is designed to test the general physical condition, agility, endurance, and psychological effect of such strains on the individual.
Recruits are individually and continually evaluated by members of the Basic Academy staff, using standardized criteria and measuring devices. A detailed profile is formed of each candidate in order to objectively appraise individual qualities and performance.
Throughout the program, the DPS Academy’s Vision, Philosophy, and Core Values are emphasized. These character traits are considered to be essential requirements for a peace officer, and ongoing evaluations of each recruit are made in these areas, violations of which may constitute grounds for immediate dismissal.
As individual recruits are evaluated, and an overall profile emerges, the final decision regarding their graduation is based on a very simple question involving a very complex formula of rationale: “Will he/she make a good state peace officer?”
Subjects studied during the Academy include such topics as laws of arrest, search and seizure, defensive tactics, arrest techniques, precision driving, firearms, emergency management services, criminal law, physical fitness and motor vehicle law.
Krambeer was one of 20 members of this year’s graduating class. His assignment to District 8 will have him patrolling the counties of Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd and Chickasaw in the northernmost two tiers of counties in central Iowa.
Upon graduation from the DPS Basic Training Academy, each officer is required to complete further field training of at least 70 working days of field training for the Iowa State Patrol Trooper 2 officers, such as Krambeer, who work from various District Offices around the state; or 30 working days of field training for the Iowa State Patrol Trooper 1 officers, who work from Post 16 (the State of Iowa Capitol Complex in Des Moines); or up to 12 months of field training for the Department’s Special Agent positions who work statewide.
A native of Waukon, Trooper Krambeer says sports and friendly competition shaped his childhood, giving him routine, camaraderie, and a competitive spirit. According to his introductory biography from the Iowa State Patrol, family time, especially visits with his grandparents, created many of his fondest memories and played a big role in who he is today.
An outdoorsman at heart, Trooper Krambeer enjoys deer hunting and motorcycle rides along Allamakee County’s scenic gravel roads. Weightlifting became a major focus in recent years after high school, as he says he enjoys testing his limits and seeing steady progress. Athletics also remained central through high school, where Trooper Krambeer competed in football, baseball, and track and field. He says these programs taught him structure, perseverance, and that earning opportunities takes time - lessons that paid off when he continued to play college football at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. While at Coe, he studied Social/Criminal Justice, stayed with the football program for four years, and earned meaningful playing time his senior season. Trooper Krambeer graduated from Coe in May 2025 and shared that he values the lifelong friendships he made in college.
From an early age, Trooper Krambeer says he felt drawn to law enforcement, specifically the Iowa State Patrol. He says that he has long admired the Patrol and has been committed to pursuing that calling.
Applications are now being accepted for the next Iowa State Patrol Basic Training Academy through February 15. To learn more about the Academy or the State Patrol, or to apply, visit https://dpscareers.com/.
