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 Department is organized into three major components: Services Division, Patrol Division and Investigations Division. Each Division operates under the command of a Lieutenant, also referred to as a Division Commander. Division Commanders report to the Chief of Police. Current Division Commanders are Lt. Mick Hucks (Services), Lt. Chad Farrington (Patrol Division), and Lt. Jason Bell (Investigations Division).
In 2011, the Ottumwa Police Department implemented a new program called the Citizens Police Academy. As part of our community policing effort, the purpose of the Academy is to provide an educational opportunity for citizens to learn firsthand about local police operations and to gain a deeper understanding of today’s law enforcement functions. It is our belief that a clearer understanding of a police officer’s duties, how the officer carries out those duties, and the end result of the officer’s actions will help develop a better relationship between the police department and the community. The ninth CPA was conducted in February and March of 2019.
Citizens interested in attending the CPA may contact the Chief’s Office at 641-683-0629. The Police Department prepares an Annual Report and has done so each year since 1988. The Annual Report details the activities of the Department for the previous year and includes information on budget, crime data, accident rates, arrest and traffic citation figures, and information on the various units within the Department. The Annual Report is provided to the Mayor, City Council, and the media, and is available to the public upon request. The Annual Report can also be downloaded from the City’s website.
