Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen

Major Ryan Doty on Policing, Saint Vincent de Paul, and Care for the Vulnerable - 11/15/2025


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In this episode of Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen, Bishop Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Major Ryan Doty (Des Moines Police Department; Vice President, Saint Vincent de Paul Council) for an in-depth, personal conversation about service — both as a law-enforcement officer and as a servant of charity in the local Church.

What we cover

Opening reflections from Bishop Joensen (feast of St. Albert the Great; recent bishops’ meeting and National Eucharistic Congress planning; National Catholic Youth Conference).

Major Ryan Doty’s background: growing up in a law-enforcement family, early career in Fort Dodge, and his move to the Des Moines Police Department.

Policing and pastoral presence: wearing the uniform in parish life, community trust, and the responsibilities of officers who “come when called.”

Operational leadership: Major Doty’s role running operations, neighborhood-based service delivery, and the staffing pressures facing modern police departments.

Homelessness and humane responses: how the department balances public safety with compassionate outreach; the importance and positive outcomes of the mobile crisis unit and partnerships with mental-health professionals.

Saint Vincent de Paul Council: Major Doty’s 18+ years on the board; the organization’s evolution from thrift-store funding to holistic pathways out of poverty — education, financial literacy, childcare while clients pursue GED/HSE, and expanded food-pantry locations.

Reentry and immersion programs: local reentry services that have become national models, Polk County kiosk, and support for returning citizens and their families.

Professional development & wider service: FBI National Academy experience (networking among police executives) and work in arena security for the G League — examples of leadership and service beyond the beat.

Thanksgiving and the holiday season: Saint Vincent de Paul’s role during increased need, how donations stay local, and how parishioners can help.

Resources & organizations mentioned

Saint Vincent de Paul Council (local food/clothing pantries, reentry programs and social services)

Des Moines Police Department — mobile crisis unit and neighborhood-based service delivery

FBI National Academy (professional development for police executives)

Iowa Catholic Radio Network & Spirit Catholic Radio Network — where you can hear the show

 

#MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #MajorRyanDoty #SaintVincentDePaul #FaithInAction #CatholicCharity #CommunitySafety #MentalHealth #Reentry #Homelessness #IowaCatholicRadio

 

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

  • Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
  • Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
  • Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
  • Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
  • Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
  • The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
  • The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
  • The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
  • Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

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Making it Personal with Bishop William JoensenBy Iowa Catholic Radio