Commissioner Techau is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Business and the University's College of Law. After graduation, he spent seven years on active duty with the United States Air Force including two tours in Europe. Since leaving active duty, Techau has served with the Iowa Air National Guard where he is currently a Lieutenant Colonel with the 132nd Fighter Wing, Des Moines after having previously served with the 185th Fighter Wing Sioux City, IA.

She was promoted to the position of Personnel Assistant with the Department in spring of 1988. In October of 1988 she was chosen to serve as the Department's Legislative Liaison and has served in this position during the past fourteen legislative sessions.

Altogether, the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau administers over $4 million in highway safety funds. The Bureau partners with over 200 local law enforcement agencies and the Iowa State Patrol including police departments and sheriffs offices in 84 of Iowa's 99 counties as well as public safety departments at each of our state universities. The Bureau provides judicial training and counsel through the Iowa Attorney General's Office, prosecuting Attorney Training Coordinator and the State Court Administrator's Office. Significant highway safety activities are conducted with the Iowa Department of Public Health (traffic records, EMS, child passenger issues), and the Iowa Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division and Office of Traffic and Safety (traffic records and roadway safety).

While the Bureau is only one part of the overall traffic safety effort in the state, several significant accomplishments were achieved during the past year. In September/October of 2001, a statewide safety belt usage survey reflected overall usage at an all-time high of 81%, up three percent from the previous year. This rate places Iowa in the top 10 states nationally and number one among the states in NHTSA Region 7. Twenty-eighty percent of Iowa's traffic fatalities last year were alcohol-related. This was the second lowest alcohol-related fatality rate in the nation. For the first time in history, Iowa achieved an overall traffic fatality rate of less than 1.5 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. While more clearly remains to be done in the area of traffic safety, the Bureau is nonetheless proud of these accomplishments.

In July of 2001, the Professional Development Bureau and the Professional Responsibility Bureau were combined, and retained the name Professional Responsibility Bureau (PRB). The PRB is responsible for hiring and training, as well as recognition and discipline for the Department of Public Safety.

In addition to the departmental in-serve training, the PRB is responsible for the peace officer applicant process and the Basic Training Academy. It also administers the physical fitness program, coordinates supervisor training in management and leadership, conducts promotional testing, and recruits potential employees.

The Bureau is responsible for coordinating standardized in-serve training to all sworn members of the department. The Bureau also tracks all training given and received by peace officers members of the Department, as well as some training provided to civilian members of the Department.

The Department of Public Safety takes pride in the integrity and professionalism of its employees. Any allegation of employee conduct is taken seriously. The PRB is responsible for conducting thorough investigation of all allegations of employee misconduct. Members of the PRB handle complaints by conducting fair, complete and impartial investigations of employee misconduct lodged by employees, or by the public. In Fiscal Year 2002, there werea 59 formal complaints, representing 146 allegations, filed with the PRB. Of those allegations, 36 were sustained, 28 unsustained, and 43 were unfounded. Of those remaining, 12 were closed administratively, and 27 are pending.

The Department values the contributions that its members provide on a daily basis to the state. From ensuring the safety of Iowan through enforcement of motor vehicle laws and fire safety laws, to investigating crimes and ensuring the proper expenditure of funds, DPS employees are dedicated and take pride in their work. The PRB is responsible for recognizing those employees that excel in the performance of their duties. In addition, this Bureau prepares the monthly employee newsletter, the Communicator, as well as the Department's annual report

.The Professional Responsibility Bureau is comprised of the Bureau Chief, three uniformed officers, two investigations officers, and three support personnel.

The Intergovernmental and Public Resources Development Bureau, was created in 2000 to coordinate and facilitate the functions of public resource development, strategic planning, and rulemaking, as well as grant proposal preparation and monitoring, the Intergovernmental and Public Resources Development Bureau is also responsible for the maintenance of the Department's World Wide Web Site. The three person Bureau, works at developing and maintaining effective communication within the Department, coordinating the Department's Administrative Rules, seeking private source foundation and federal grant monies, overseeing departmental media relations and public information, and coordinating departmental strategic planning.