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Polk County Arrest Records

The following is for informational purposes only

Polk County, IA Arrest Records

What are Polk County Arrest Statistics?

Polk amassed 2,376 arrests over the past three years. During 2017, Polk’s arrest rate was 166.65 per 100,000 residents. The county of Polk is 77.45% lower than the national average of 739.02 per 100,000 residents. During that same year, 113 arrests were for violent crimes like murder, rape, and robbery. The county of Polk also experienced 677 arrests for property crimes. When compared to Dallas and Linn, Polk is a more dangerous place to reside.

View Iowa criminal and arrest records for other counties.

  • 2,376Arrests in the county for the last 3 years
  • 166.65Arrest rate in 2017 per 100.000 population
  • 113Violent crime arrests

Polk County Recent Arrest Trends

In Polk, the most common crime is larceny/theft which accounts for 355 of the arrests in a year. The second most common crime in Polk, is burglary, and the third most common is motor vehicle theft.

  • 355Larceny/Theft
  • 204Burglary
  • 118Motor Vehicle Theft

Violent Crime Arrests vs. Non-Violent

In Polk, the most violent crimes committed are murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The county of Polk has a higher rate of non-violent crime. During 2017, Polk experienced 113 violent crimes and 677 non-violent crimes. When comparing Polk to the national average of 739.02, Polk is lower by 77.45% than the national average.

Polk County Crime Rate from 2004-2017

Polk County Arrest and Criminal Records by Age

Most crimes committed in Polk are perpetrated by people between the ages of 21-30. Conversely, those committing the fewest crimes are between the ages of 81-90.

Polk County Crime Rate by Age Groups

Polk County Police Records

Police records exist in different types of Sheriff’s Offices and in many forms. In most generally, Polk county police reports may be obtained from the local county Sheriff’s Office. You can visit in person and request documents as county police records are available to the masses per the state laws and the Freedom of Information Act. The documents may include Polk county police reports, Polk county bookings and even images. These documents are related to when a person is arrested, booked, and incarcerated. First, they are questioned, and basic data is taken while someone fills out the report. Then the arresting officer takes pictures of the person, and they are put in a jail cell until they can make pay the fees. Some regions may charge a fee for a copy of police records. You may have to appear in person and may need to have the following facts for them to find your file:

  • Date and time of the occurrence
  • The location of the incident
  • Name(s) of those involved
  • Officer’s name and rank
  • Case number

This will help the administrator find the records you need.

Polk county police records can reveal a lot of information about a person. A good type of police record might be a traffic incident report. Some reports are available to the public after a waiting period, such as 60-days.

Sometimes you can get copies of Polk county police records by mail. Contact your local county Sheriff’s Office to inquire about requests and the payment.

Polk County Mugshots

Polk County mugshots have been taken since the 1800s, shortly after the development of photography. Then in 1888, a French policeman Alphonse Bertillon standardized the process and made it the norm. Many of these pictures are kept in a “mug book” to help witnesses and victims identify people.

Polk county mugshots are the pictures taken of people upon arrest. Local police, Sheriff’s Offices, and other law enforcement agencies take them. Usually , the subject is photographed from the front (full-face view) and then the side (profile view). These Polk county mugshots are stored with the person’s criminal record and police reports. They are used by victims, witnesses, and investigators to identify bad guys.

Typically , when a judge issues an Polk county arrest warrant for other crimes , and the criminal does not show up in court, these mugshots are used to help locate the suspect.

Mugshots are readily show up online as they are public records. Information informational portals offer mugshots with other types of documents such as criminal records, arrest records and other court cases.

Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Sex Offenders

Police and arrest records will also include information on felonies, misdemeanors, and sex offenders. Since everything is readily available and connected, any past arrests will show up as well.

Crime Demographics by Gender and Race

Felony Crime Rate by Gender

The majority 89.5% of felonies committed in Polk, are committed by males. The rest of them 10.5% are committed by females.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

It is situated in Polk county, Iowa with a total number of 268 employees - 14 female, 127 male officers and 127 civilians. Polk County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is IA0770000, it belongs to the West North Central division in the Midwest region with a region code of Region II.

  • Agency Name: Polk County Sheriff's Office
  • State: Iowa
  • City: Des Moines
  • Type: County
  • Address: 1985 NE 51st Pl
  • Phone Number: 515-286-3333
  • Fax: (515) 323-5473
  • Email: polkcounty.sheriff@polkcountyiowa.gov
  • Website: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/sheriff/

Police Departments in Polk County

DepartmentAddressPhone
Altoona Police Department700 1st Ave South(515) 967-5132
Ankeny Police Department411 SW Ordnance Road(515) 289-5240
Johnston Police Department6221 Merle Hay Rd(515)278-2345
Pleasant Hill Police Department5151 Maple Dr Ste 1(515)265-1444
Windsor Heights Police Department1133-66th St(515)277-4453

Polk County, IA Jail and Inmate Records

POLK County has 826 jails with an average daily population of 557 inmates with a total of 932 jail population. When breaking down the POLK County jail population by gender, females are a minority compared to male prisoners and make 16% with 153 female and 732 male inmates.

  • 826Jails
  • 932Prisoners
  • 265 %Jail Rate

How Does Polk County Inmate Search Work?

Polk County inmate records are public files that anyone can acquire easily. The Freedom of Information Act governs the rules regarding Polk county inmate records which provide a lot of useful insights about a person.

Polk County Booking

Polk county bookings are also helpful when looking for stats on whether or not a stranger has been arrested. When a perpetrator is arrested, the officer fills out paperwork and then holds them in a incarceration cell , which essentially becomes their Polk county booking record. It may also include things like fingerprints, photos , physical details, their name, and address, officer in charge , the details of the crime, the location, and any trucks that were involved. The general public has the ability to get a copy of someone’s Polk county booking records without any type of approval .

Polk County Jail

Prisons and Jails in Polk County

NameAddressPhone
Iowa Correctional Institution for Women - Mitchellville420 Mill Street SW515-725-5042
Polk County IA Juvenile Detention Center1548 Hull Avenue515-286-3344
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