Investigation of how the Des Moines Police Department Handles Complaints about its Officers, 1998

Investigative report produced by Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman

Investigation of Des Moines Police Department, use of force in the Arrest of Larry Milton, 1992

Investigative report produced by Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman

Investigation of A High-Speed Law Enforcement Pursuit involving Toledo Police Department and the Tama County Sheriff's Office, 2002

Investigative report produced by Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman

Special investigation of the City of Grinnell Police Department for the period January 1, 2006 through April 30, 2008

Special investigation of the City of Grinnell Police Department for the period January 1, 2006 through April 30, 2008

Report on a special investigation of the City of Dunkerton Police Department for the period January 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014

Report on a special investigation of the City of Dunkerton Police Department for the period January 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014

Investigation of Maquoketa's Pit Bull Ban Ordinance and Enforcement, 2006

Case File 0603634 On September 13, 2006, Kelly Wilslef submitted a complaint to the Ombudsman about the Maquoketa City Council (Council). Ms. Wilslef stated a Maquoketa police officer served her an abatement notice for violating the city ordinance preventing owners from keeping pit bull terrier dogs in the city. The Council subsequently determined her dog was a pit bull mix, and ordered her to remove the dog from the city. Ms. Wilslef claimed the Council unreasonably relied on non-expert testimony supporting the city’s position her dog was a pit bull mix. She further claimed that if her dog was in fact a pit bull mix, the city ordinance did not apply to mixed-breed pit bulls; therefore, the Council acted contrary to law when it concluded she violated the city ordinance and ordered her to remove her dog from the city.

Investigation of Restraint Device use in Iowa's County Jail

Executive Summary The use of full-body restraint devices is a widespread practice in Iowa’s county jails. Full-body restraints come in the form of restraint chairs, boards, and beds, including two such devices manufactured in Iowa. Iowa law, which refers to these as four- and fivepoint restraints, states they are only to be used when an inmate is a threat to self, others, or jail security. However, the Ombudsman found they were also used on inmates who caused minor disruptions or in response to an inmate’s verbal abuse. In some cases, the restraints were used on inmates with known mental illness who were acting out, though no attempts were made to seek medical or mental health reviews for those inmates while restrained, leading to extended use of the restraint device.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, Iowa Department of Public Safety, 1997

In 1974, the 65th Iowa General Assembly enacted a provision of Chapter 749 B of the Code of Iowa requiring law enforcement agencies to submit reports of crime and arrests to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The following language now is contained in section 692.15 Code of Iowa concerning Uniform Crime Reports: If it comes to the attention of a sheriff, police department or other law enforcement agency that a public offense has been committed in its jurisdiction, the law enforcement agency shall report information concerning such a public offense to the department on a form to be furnished by the department not more than thirty-five days from the time the public offense first comes to the attention of the law enforcement agency. The reports shall be used to generate crime statistics. The department shall submit statistics to the governor, the general assembly, and the division of criminal and juvenile justice planning of the department of human rights on a quarterly and yearly basis.

Johnston, Special Investigation Public Works Department, July 1, 1999 - February 17, 2003

City Audit Report, Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Van Horne, June 01, 2000 - December 31, 2002

City Audit Report, Special Investigation

Special Investigation of the Hardin County Recorder's Office, July 1, 2000 - April 28, 2003

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Special Investigation of the Johnson County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Department, June 30, 2002

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the Webster County Sheriff's Office, July 1, 1997 - February 28, 2003

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Fourth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services - Special Investigation, September 1, 2000 - March 7, 2002

State Agency Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Preston Library, June 14, 1999 - August 25, 2003

City Audit Report - Special Investigation