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

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 coverOpening 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 mentionedSaint Vincent de Paul Council (local food/clothing pantries, reentry programs and social services)Des Moines Police Department — mobile crisis unit and neighborhood-based service deliveryFBI 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  Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.