Iowa Code § 80D.7: Carrying weapons.

A member of a reserve force shall not carry a weapon in the line of duty until the member has been approved by the governing body and certified by the council to carry weapons. After approval and certification, a reserve peace officer may carry a weapon in the line of duty only when authorized by the chief of police, sheriff, commissioner of public safety or the commissioner’s designee, or director of the Iowa department of corrections or the director’s designee, as the case may be.