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Police Department

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1. How do I make a code enforcement request?

Call the Community Development Department at City Hall at 515-961-9430 or the Indianola Police Department at 515-961-9400.

2. My vehicle was towed by the Indianola Police Department. Where is it and how do I get it back?

If your vehicle was towed contact the Indianola Police Department at 515-961-9400 to get the impound information.

3. I need to be fingerprinted for a job. Where do I go to get printed and what times are available?

The Warren County Sheriff's Office performs fingerprinting services for the purpose of background checks and employment.  The cost is $10.00 per card. These services are offered Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM.   The individuals in need of this service will need to bring their blue applicant cards (preferably not filed out) to the 2nd floor Sheriff's office in the Warren County Courthouse (115 N. Howard St. Indianola, Iowa) with the required fee. 

4. I saw suspicious activity in my neighborhood. Should I report it to the police?

Trust your instincts! If you think something is wrong, then it probably is. Citizens can be a huge help in preventing criminal activity before it occurs and before someone is a victim. In any case, wouldn't you sleep better just having it checked out?

5. Where do I go to enforce a child custody or visitation order that has been violated?

If you believe such an order has been violated, you should contact your attorney as soon as possible for legal advice. If the violation of such an order may cause concern for the safety of the child involved, you should contact your local law enforcement agency immediately to discuss the matter with an officer.

6. How does a citizen make a complaint on Police Personnel?

Contact the Patrol Supervisor for any complaints regarding officers. For any other personnel complaints contact the Chief of Police. All contacts maybe made by calling 515-961-9400 or email
dbutton@indianolaiowa.gov.

7. Can the police open my car if the keys are locked inside?

The Indianola Police Department does not generally unlock vehicles. The only exception is an emergency situation such as a child locked inside a vehicle. This is due to the increasing complexity of car security systems and side-impact airbags; attempts to open may cause damage to a vehicle or injury to an officer. Please contact a locksmith to open vehicles.

8. I would like to get my child fingerprinted in case of any emergency. How do I get this done?

The Indianola Police Department has kits available for parents that include fingerprints, basic information and space for DNA samples.

9. I would like to tour the Indianola Police Department. When can I do this?

Call the main phone number 515-961-9400 speak to the Captain to set up a time for the tour.

10. How do I get a copy of an incident or accident report?

Reports are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. It might be in your best interest to call ahead to see if the report is completed. There is a $5.00 cost per report.

11. How do I get a copy of a criminal record?

Criminal records are only available through the Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI). You may go to the DCI website to get more information on how to get criminal records or contact us and we will provide information on how to get a criminal record. Division of Criminal Investigations Weblink

12. Who has to wear a seat belt in my vehicle?

It is best that everyone in the vehicle wear a seat belt. Iowa law requires the front driver and passenger wear seat belts. Children over 4’9” tall and usually over 80 pounds must wear a seat belt. Children under that height and weight requirement need to be in a booster or child safety seat depending on their height and weight. Any passenger in the back seat of the vehicle and under the age of 18 is required by law to have their seat belt fastened. Seatbelt Brochure

13. How can I make sure my child's safety seat is installed correctly?

Currently the Fire Department has a certified child seat technician Bob Soukup. You may call during normal business hours 515-961-9405 for available time to check your child's safety seat. Shelley Jensen with the Department of Health and Sanitation may also be contact 515-961-1074 for child seat safety checks. Safety seat Inspection station lookup

14. Do the police do vacation house checks?

We recommend citizens advise us if they are leaving town and their residence will be unoccupied. Please call or come to Indianola Police Department to fill out vacation check form. Bring to the police station or email to pallsup@cityofindianola.com. Vacation house check request form

15. Where do I go to pay a traffic ticket?

Traffic citations are payable at the Clerk of Court office at 115 N Howard St, Indianola, Ia 50125 or online and follow the steps. Iowa Courts -Pay on Line

16. Where do I pay a parking ticket?

Parking tickets are payable at City of Indianola Municipal desk or the Indianola Police Department. Parking tickets may be paid on line. Pay Parking Ticket online

17. How does the outdoor warning system work?

The outdoor sirens are sounded during severe weather if there is a tornado warning issued for any part of Indianola by the National Weather Service; or they are sounded if a tornado is spotted by a public safety employee or by a trained spotter, and the tornado is a threat to Indianola. We do not sound an "all clear" siren, so if the sirens are sounding, it means a tornado is believed to be in the vicinity. The sirens are tested the first Saturday of every month.

18. How long can a car be parked on the street?

A car can be legally parked on the street for no longer than 72 hours. If the car has been parked for a continuous period of 72 hours or more the vehicle will be tagged and impounded by the Police Department. All parking regulations maybe read in Chapter 69 of City ordinances page 357. Chapter 69 Parking Ordinances

19. What is the grace period after my driver's license expires?

Your Iowa driver's license is valid for 60 days after the expiration date.

20. What is the grace period after my vehicle registration expires?

Your Iowa vehicle registration is valid for 30 days after the expiration date.

21. Can I have tinted windows on my vehicle?

The Code of Iowa, Chapter 321.438(2) states it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with excessively dark or reflective windows. In addition, the law mandates that a rule be written defining "excessively dark or reflective". The rule adopts the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Standard for automotive windows, which establishes a minimum of at least 70% light transparency.

22. What does the snow ordinance mean?

The snow ordinance is found in chapter 69.10 of the city ordinances.
Be sure to watch the news or listen to the radio, our watch for our website, twitter (IndianolaPD) and facebook notices (Indianola Police Department) to be advised when the snow ordinance is in effect.
Such a ban shall be of uniform application and the police department is directed to widely publicize the requirements, using all available news media, in early November each year. When predictions or occurrences indicate the need, the Chief of Police shall proclaim a snow emergency and the police department shall inform the news media to publicize the proclamation and the parking rules there under. Such emergency may be extended or shortened when conditions warrant.
This section shall not be construed as suspending parking limitations or restrictions imposed by any other section of this chapter, except that, in the event of a proclamation pursuant to this section, this section shall supersede any ordinances in conflict with this provision.

Public Notice

23. How can I get an officer to make a presentation at an event?

Contact us at the main phone number 515-961-9400 to speak with the Captain to determine if scheduling will have an officer available to make a presentation at your event.

24. If a peddler comes to my door how do I know they are selling legally?

All peddlers, solicitors or transient merchants must have a permit from the city before they can attempt to sell their products. You may ask to see their permit before any other action is taken. If they cannot provide the permit you may call the police to report illegal peddlers.

25. How do I arrange for a Temporary Street Closure for work being done?

Contact us at the main phone number 515-961-9400 to schedule and to have the necessary departments notified. This form maybe filled out and returned to the Indianola Police Department or emailed to pallsup@indianolaiowa.gov Temporary Work Street Closure

26. I want to find out if a sex offender lives in my neighborhood. Where can I do that?

The Iowa Sex Offender website contains detailed information about Iowa code, and several other areas of interest. The registry allows you to search by name, address, map, email, telephone or a vehicle plate. You can read the sites Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page if you have more questions. Iowa Sex Offender site