On March 7, 2020, the Ottumwa Police Department participated in “Family Fest” held at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa. Family Fest is sponsored by the Bridge View Center and offers an opportunity for members of the community to participate in numerous family activities. The Police Department in “Safety City” allowed citizens, with an emphasis on children, to tour police vehicles including squad cars and the Emergency response vehicle. The children especially enjoyed sitting in the squad car and operating the lights and siren.
Numberous bicycles and helmets were given away in a drawing. The bicycles and helmets were purchased with memorials for Dr. Jay Heitsman. Dr. Heitsman, a well-known pediatrician from Ottumwa, greatly enjoyed his work going above and beyond for his patients. He had a wonderful impact on generations of kids.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
