Des Moines Police

Des Moines Police As the largest and most urban law enforcement agency in the state, the Des Moines Police Department has a strong commitment to community policing.

We encourage our residents to help us address issues occurring in their neighborhoods and to participate in the resolution of their concerns. Our Neighborhood Based Service Delivery Program has been expanded, assigning detectives and Traffic Unit officers to neighborhoods to provide citizens with greater access to department resources.Our department consists of an authorized strength of 379 sworn

officers and 110 civilian support personnel. The department is organized into two divisions: the Operations Division and the Investigations Division. Both divisions are commanded by assistant chiefs who report directly to the Chief of Police.

Happy Labor Day, Des Moines!
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day, Des Moines!

Here are this week’s mobile radar locations. Please drive safely!Monday:Not Deployed - Holiday Tuesday:2200 Blk E 29th S...
09/06/2026

Here are this week’s mobile radar locations. Please drive safely!

Monday:
Not Deployed - Holiday

Tuesday:
2200 Blk E 29th St
1600 Blk E University

Wednesday:
2200 Blk E 29th St
1600 Blk E University

Thursday:
2200 Blk E 29th St
1600 Blk E University

Friday:
2200 Blk E 29th St
1600 Blk E University


Speed trailer locations, Aug. 31 - Sep 11:
3100 Blk ML King Jr Pkwy 2900 Blk 6th Ave

An afternoon shooting yesterday brought a large response to the Merle Hay neighborhood as our team helped the injured vi...
09/04/2026

An afternoon shooting yesterday brought a large response to the Merle Hay neighborhood as our team helped the injured victim, secured the scene, and began a search for the suspect.

In less than 40 minutes, the suspect was in custody.

Responding to critical incidents is part of the job, but the professionalism, focus and determination these officers displayed made this a job done exceptionally well.

We’re grateful to the residents who supported our response, shared information with officers and helped bring this investigation to a safe and successful conclusion.

87th RECRUIT CLASS APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 25th!There has been a lot of recent discussion and media c...
09/03/2026

87th RECRUIT CLASS APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 25th!

There has been a lot of recent discussion and media coverage regarding the City’s budget and how potential budget reductions may impact the Police Department. Unfortunately, some of that information may have created uncertainty and even the perception that DMPD is no longer hiring.

WE ARE HIRING!

The 86th Recruit Class will graduate in late October, and the 87th Recruit Class will start in early 2027.

DSM.City/JOINDMPD

Crimes Against Persons Section detectives are investigating the city's 14th homicide of 2026.On July 16, detectives init...
09/02/2026

Crimes Against Persons Section detectives are investigating the city's 14th homicide of 2026.

On July 16, detectives initiated an investigation after they were contacted by the Minneapolis, MN Police Department and informed of a death in their city potentially connected to an incident in Des Moines.

On July 14th, 26-year-old Dimitri Craig-Lee English was found deceased within his home. The preliminary investigation indicated that English had been involved in an altercation near the 200 block of Court Avenue during the early morning hours of July 5th. At some point following that, English returned to his home in Minneapolis.

The Hennepin County, MN Medical Examiners Office has now ruled that the manner of death is homicide.

Detectives continue to follow leads in this ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 515-283-4864.

Additional information will be shared as it becomes available for release.

Sgt Paul Parizek

Tactical teams and the equipment they use are necessary and vital tools for some law enforcement tasks. They provide a s...
09/02/2026

Tactical teams and the equipment they use are necessary and vital tools for some law enforcement tasks. They provide a specialized response to situations with a high potential for violence such as high-risk arrest warrants and barricaded persons, as well as challenging rescue and recovery operations.

In Des Moines, the Metro Special Tactics And Response (STAR) Team provides those services. The team is part of the department’s Homeland Security Section, and includes the Entry Team, Marksman/Observer Team, Bomb Squad, Dive Team, WMD Team, and Crisis Negotiation Team.

The Homeland Security Section's mission is to protect the lives of Des Moines residents and visitors, as well as their property from natural or man-made disasters, and provide a variety of bomb, tactical, and planning and training services to agencies around the metro area.

National Police K-9 Day is celebrated annually on September 1st to honor the service and sacrifice of police dogs.Thank ...
09/01/2026

National Police K-9 Day is celebrated annually on September 1st to honor the service and sacrifice of police dogs.

Thank you to our four-legged friends, and to their partners who help them work their mission!

Des Moines Police Canine Foundation

The Polk County Extreme Temperature Plan will activate today, Aug. 31 at Noon. The plan will remain active through Satu...
08/31/2026

The Polk County Extreme Temperature Plan will activate today, Aug. 31 at Noon. The plan will remain active through Saturday, Sept. 5th.

Afternoon highs are expected to reach the mid 90's with heat indexes soaring towards 100 - 103 degrees.

Activation of the plan includes:

Access to area homeless shelters
Activation of cooling centers (including all Des Moines Public Library locations during open hours)
Free rides to these locations on DART buses

More detailed information and resources are available here:
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/.../extreme-temperature.../

All in the impacted area are encouraged to check on family, friends, and neighbors, particularly those in these vulnerable populations:

Pregnant
Newborns
Small children
Elderly
Those with chronic illness

Everyone is at risk from the dangers of extreme heat, but these groups are more vulnerable than most.

Stay alert for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness

These extreme temperatures are also dangerous to pets. Stay alert for the signs of heat related illness in pets:
https://www.aspca.org/.../general.../hot-weather-safety-tips

IF YOU SEE A PERSON OR PET IN DISTRESS, CALL 911!

Here are this week’s mobile radar locations. Please drive safely!Monday:1800 Blk Fleur Dr1700 Blk Park Ave Tuesday:1800 ...
08/30/2026

Here are this week’s mobile radar locations. Please drive safely!

Monday:
1800 Blk Fleur Dr
1700 Blk Park Ave

Tuesday:
1800 Blk Fleur Dr
1700 Blk Park Ave

Wednesday:
1800 Blk Fleur Dr
1700 Blk Park Ave

Thursday:
4300 Blk Ingersoll Ave
4800 Blk Hickman Rd

Friday:
4300 Blk Ingersoll Ave
4800 Blk Hickman Rd


Speed trailer locations, Aug 31 - Sep 11:
3100 Blk ML King Jr Pkwy
2900 Blk 6th Ave

Address

25 E. 1st Street
Des Moines, IA
50309

Telephone

+15152834800

Website

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