City of Ottumwa Chosen as Overnight Stop for RAGBRAI LI

Ottumwa Police Department

The Police Department pledges to you, its citizens, our commitment to community growth and professionalism through an open and approachable organization. The Ottumwa Police Department has undertaken many changes over the years to meet the changing needs of our community. What has not changed is our commitment to respond to the community's need for police services in an efficient and cost effective manner. The Ottumwa Police Department is comprised of 40 sworn officers and 11 civilians that includes 8 Communication Specialist. We strive daily to be the best police agency possible.
Chad Farrington Chief of Police
(641) 683-0661
Email Chad Farrington

The City of Ottumwa is accepting applications for police officer. Check it out!

Family Fun Fest 2020!

An Examination of the Relationship Between Drugs and Crime in the Midwest

Annual Reports

Each year, we publish an annual report to inform the community of our activities. The data we supply for the FBI Uniform Crime Report is featured, as well as our programs and initiatives.

Note: Our Annual Reports cover a calendar year. They are issued in the first quarter of the new year.

Citizens Police Academy

The Citizens Police Academy is an interesting and exciting way for the community to learn more about law enforcement through the experience of the Ottumwa Police Department. Through classroom lectures, hands-on experience and demonstrations, the Citizens Police Academy builds a bond of mutual trust and respect between the Police Department and our citizens.

School Resource Officers

The Ottumwa Police Department and the Ottumwa Community School District partner together in the School Resource Officer Program. During the school year, we have two Officers assigned to Ottumwa High School and one Officer at Evans Middle School. The Officers' presence helps to reduce the potential for crime-related problems and helped to provide a safer environment for both students and staff. An additional benefit of the program is increased interaction between students and the Officers.

The department has an Officer assigned to instruct the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) in the Elementary schools 5th grade classes. The D.A.R.E. Program is an integral part of the Department's community policing initiative as well as the Ottumwa Community School District's substance abuse prevention curriculum. Our Officers also present the Gang Resistance Education And Training Program (G.R.E.A.T.) at Evans Middle School. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement Officer-instructed classroom curriculum. The Porgram's primary objective is to help prevent delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.

Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force

We work with several other law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, apprehend and prosecute drug and drug related criminal offenders in its seven county area. This multi-jurisdictional team targets drug manufacturers and traffickers through shared investigatory and prosecutorial resources. Our expected outcome is to reduce the availability and demand for controlled substances in Southeast Iowa.

Deer Hunting in Ottumwa

Ottumwa partners with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to manage an annual in-city deer hunt. This has proven to be an effective way to safely control the deer herd within the city limits, reducing vehicle accidents and property damage caused by deer.

Department History

Back in 1851, the founders of Ottumwa saw the need to establish law and order in their frontier town along the river. Since that time, law enforcement has changed and grown with the community.

News from Ottumwa Police Department

Shooting Investigation

June 29, 2022

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at approximately 4:24 p.m., Officers responded to the area of East Main and Brick Row on a report that a male was bleeding from his head and neck.  

Suspicious Person Reported to Police

April 29, 2022

On Thursday, April 28, 2022, at approximately 8:06 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department received a report of a suspicious male who was attempting to lure a child into his car. 

Shooting Investigation

February 28, 2022

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at approximately 8:11 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department responded to 424 N. Court, Apartment 3, Ottumwa, on a report that a male had been shot at this address. 

Missing Person Investigation

July 6, 2021

The Ottumwa Police Department would like request the assistance of the public regarding a missing person investigation.  On August 28, 2019, Timothy William-Michal Fortney was reported missing to the police department.  At the time he was reported missing, Fortney had not been seen for over a year. 

Highlighting Ottumwa’s Police Department

August 26, 2019

The Ottumwa Police Department has dedicated and professional men and women who strive to deliver the best possible law enforcement service to the citizens of Ottumwa. The Police Department is authorized to have 42 sworn positions. Five of these positions are ancillary and are not fully funded by the city’s general fund. These positions include two investigators assigned to the southeast Iowa Inter-Agency drug Task Force and three officers assigned as School Resource Officers. Currently there are 39 sworn officers working for the department, two officers attending the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and one officer beginning the Patrol Training Program. 

Urban chicken and rabbits

July 1, 2015

The Ottumwa Municipal Code allows residents to legally keep rabbits and chickens within the city limits of Ottumwa under a permit issued by the Ottumwa Police Department. Persons wishing to keep chickens and rabbits must meet certain requirements in order to receive a permit.

Contact Information

Joint Law Enforcement Center
330 W. Second St.
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
(641) 683-0661
opd@ci.ottumwa.ia.us

Map to Ottumwa Police Department

©2024 City of Ottumwa