Out of the approximate 76,000 arrests reported annually by law enforcement agencies in Iowa, Black Hawk County accounts for at least 3,700. Arrest records may be obtained for up to $15 and are available for viewing, copying, or publication without stating a reason, in accordance with the Iowa Open Records Law.
However, some arrest records may be classified as confidential and withheld from public access, including those tied to active investigations, juvenile cases, or sensitive law enforcement sources. Access to exempt records is generally limited to authorized individuals such as the subject of the record, court officials, and the County Attorney.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety's Division of Criminal Investigation, local police departments, the Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of Court are the lawful custodians of arrest records in Black Hawk County.
To obtain arrest records from the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, interested individuals may contact one of the designated Open Records Liaisons to confirm the availability and cost of the requested records. Additionally, anyone may visit the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours to make inquiries with the Liaisons. Alternatively, an open records request may be submitted by U.S. Mail, providing sufficient details about the desired records and contact information, to:
Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office Attention: Open Records Request 225 E 6th Street Waterloo, IA 50703
Police arrest records in Black Hawk County may be requested by filing a record request at the Records Unit of the arresting Department. Alternatively, a written request may be submitted by mail to the department. Black Hawk County is home to several Police Departments, including:
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) offers multiple ways for the public to request criminal history record checks, including online, by mail, by fax, or in person.
Black Hawk residents may use the Iowa Records Check Online to conduct name and date-of-birth-based searches for a $15 fee. This process requires completing a billing form and a request form with details such as an email address, mailing address, and fax number. Each form submission applies to a single last name.
For mail-in requests, individuals must submit the Criminal History Billing and Request Forms to:
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Support Operations Bureau Dissemination Unit 215 E 7th Street Des Moines, IA 50319
Those who prefer in-person requests may visit the Oran Pape State Office Building, 215 E 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Individuals requesting their records with a government-issued photo ID may receive immediate results. However, those requesting records for another person must submit a request for standard processing.
You may visit the Clerk of Court's office at 316 E 5th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703, to access arrest information within criminal case records. Additionally, the Iowa Court Online portal provides access to criminal cases heard in Black Hawk County.
For a more comprehensive search, third-party websites like InfoTracer also offer detailed arrest records online.
According to the Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting System, Black Hawk County records at least 3,700 arrests annually. The county has a crime rate of 2,229.42 per 100,000 residents and an arrest rate of 4,222.22 per 100,000 residents. Below are the published arrest figures for specific offenses:
| OFFENSE | NUMBER OF ARRESTS |
|---|---|
| Murder | 2 |
| Rape | 5 |
| Robbery | 25 |
| Aggravated Assault | 194 |
| Burglary | 59 |
| Larceny | 223 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 41 |
| Simple Assault | 368 |
| Arson | 5 |
Source: Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting Program
It is situated in Black Hawk county, Iowa with a total number of 135 employees - 10 female, 74 male officers and 51 civilians. Black Hawk County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is IA0070000, it belongs to the West North Central division in the Midwest region with a region code of Region II.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls Police Department | 220 Clay St. | (319) 291-2515 |
| Evansdale Police Department | 911 S Evans Road | (319)232-6682 |
| Waterloo Police Department | 715 Mulberry Street | 319-291-4340 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| North Iowa Juvenile Detention | 1440 West Dunkerton Road | 319-291-2455 ext. #2 |