Iowa · Polk County
Police reports in Des Moines, IA are released by the individual agency that wrote them. For most incidents inside the city, that is Des Moines Police Department. Incidents on county roads or unincorporated areas around Des Moines typically fall to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Below you will find each law enforcement agency serving Des Moines in Polk County, plus the step-by-step process for getting your copy.
Your report is held by the agency that responded — in most Des Moines incidents, Des Moines Police Department. Check any paperwork, citation, or exchange-of-information slip from the scene; it names the agency and often a report number.
For traffic crash reports handled by state police, Iowa offers an official request process. For local incidents, contact the agency's records division directly, in person, by mail, or through its online portal if one exists. Requests are made under the Iowa Open Records law, Iowa Code Chapter 22 (Examination of Public Records).
You will need the date and location of the incident, names of involved parties, and the report or case number if you have one. Bring photo ID; some agencies require it for unredacted copies.
Iowa state agencies charge $0 to view online; $4 for a paper officer's report copy for crash report copies; local departments set their own fees, typically in a similar range. Reports are typically available online for 15 days after posting; older than 15 days at district office.
The state agency fee for crash reports in Iowa is $0 to view online; $4 for a paper officer's report copy. Local departments set their own copy fees, most commonly between $5 and $25. Fee waivers sometimes apply to crime victims; ask the records division.
Iowa publishes a processing window of available online for 15 days after posting; older than 15 days at district office for state crash reports. Local agencies vary: simple incident reports are often ready within days, while reports tied to open investigations may be held until the case closes.
Usually yes. Involved parties, their attorneys, and insurers can typically obtain copies. Some records are restricted or redacted for uninvolved third parties under the Iowa Open Records law, Iowa Code Chapter 22 (Examination of Public Records).
A crash report documents a traffic collision and in Iowa may be requested through the state's official crash report system. An incident report covers other police responses such as theft, assault, or property damage, and is requested from the local agency that responded.