Polk County, IA Arrests & Jail Inmate Records
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How To Search Polk County Arrest Records?
Polk County reports 19,000 arrests out of Iowa's annual 69,496 arrests. Under the Iowa Open Records Act, arrest records in Polk County are available for public access unless exempted by law. However, certain records are restricted from public disclosure to protect privacy and maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations. These include information that could affect the safety of individuals involved in an investigation, juvenile arrest records, expunged records, and other sensitive records.
A nominal fee is charged for obtaining copies of arrest records, which may vary depending on the agency and type of records requested. Fees Typically range from $1 to $15 per page. Exempt records may only be accessed by authorized parties, including individuals named in the record, courts, law enforcement agencies such as police, and the Polk County Attorney's Office.
How To Look Up Polk County Arrest Records?
Polk County arrest records may be obtained from multiple agencies, including local Police Departments, the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Sheriff Arrest Records
In Polk County, arrest records may be obtained from the Polk County Sheriff's Office upon request. Interested individuals may submit a request by phone, in person, by electronic means, or in writing. Requests may be made electronically through the Polk County Sheriff's portal or by phone at (515) 286-3333. To obtain copies of arrest records in person, visit the Polk County Sheriff's Office at:
Polk County Sheriff's Office
5995 NE 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50310
Polk County Police Arrest Records
Arrest records may also be obtained from various Police Departments within Polk County. To request for arrest records, individuals should determine where the arrest occurred to identify the correct department to contact. Most Police Departments provide an online request on their official platforms for a fee. The Major Police Departments in Polk County include:
Iowa Department of Public Safety
In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Public Safety serves as the official custodian of criminal records for all counties, including Polk County. Criminal records for Polk County may be requested online by providing necessary information such as the individual's name, phone number, and date of birth. Each name search cost $15. To obtain copies of arrest records in person, visit the Iowa Department of Public Safety's Office during business hours at:
Iowa Department of Public Safety
Oran Pape Street Building
215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
Individuals may contact the office by phone at (515) 725-6066 for further assistance. However, certain Polk County criminal records are not open to the general public. Authorized individuals who may request these records include government entities, certain employers with the individual's consent, courts, and the person named in the record.
Criminal Court Records
In Polk County, individuals seeking arrest records for incidents that have led to formal charges may access these records through the local courthouse. The Polk County District Court maintains these records, with the Clerk of Court's office serving as the primary custodian. Criminal records may be accessed online through the Iowa Courts Online Search portal.
Additionally, third-party platforms such as InfoTracer provide a quicker and more convenient way to access Polk County arrest records, offering broader access to public records.
Arrest Statistics
Polk County has a crime rate of 5,030.9 and an arrest rate of 166.65 per 100,000 residents. Below are the arrest statistics for Polk County.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Burglary | 1,279 |
| Aggravated Assault | 7,483 |
| Fraud | 1,939 |
| Robbery | 189 |
| Bribery | 2 |
| Arson | 45 |
| Homicide Offenses | 23 |
| Larceny | 7,907 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 18,867 |
Source - Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting System
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
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona Police Department | 700 1st Ave South | (515) 967-5132 |
| Ankeny Police Department | 411 SW Ordnance Road | (515) 289-5240 |
| Johnston Police Department | 6221 Merle Hay Rd | (515)278-2345 |
| Pleasant Hill Police Department | 5151 Maple Dr Ste 1 | (515)265-1444 |
| Windsor Heights Police Department | 1133-66th St | (515)277-4453 |
Polk County Jail
- Agency Name: Polk County IA Jail - New
- State: IA
- City: Des Moines
- Type: County
- Address: 1985 NE 51st Place
- Phone Number: 515-323-5400
- Email: polkcounty.sheriff@polkcountyiowa.gov
- Website: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/sheriff/divisions/detention/
Prisons and Jails in Polk County
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Correctional Institution for Women - Mitchellville | 420 Mill Street Sw | 515-725-5042 |
| Polk County IA Juvenile Detention Center | 1548 Hull Avenue | 515-286-3344 |