Des Moines Police Department (Iowa)


The Des Moines Police Department is the municipal police department for the city of Des Moines, Iowa. The department is the largest law enforcement agency in the state of Iowa.

History

On January 21, 1896, the size of Des Moines increased significantly when state legislature granted the city a new charter allowing it to absorb the eight towns surrounding the city. As the size of the city increased, the need for public safety increased. In 1908 the city auditor issued an annual report of the city which stated appointed the Chief of Police. By the turn of the 19th century the police department was loosely structured and consisted of a patrol disvision and administration division. The patrol division consisted of patrol officers and detectives while the administration division consisted of jail staff.
The Des Moines Police Department saw a decrease in the number of public disorder arrests between 1910-1920, which is attributed to the fact that in 1911 patrol officers began patrolling in automobiles and were less likely to observe public disorder incidents.
Department Arrest Statistics from 1900-1970
YearPublic Disorder ArrestsFelony ArrestsLarceny Arrests
1900671.153.23
1910530.822.95
1920140.641.81
1930160.691.45
1940273.1710.64
1950223.158.82
1960216.7618.34
19702511.4835.86

Organizational structure

The Des Moines Police Department consists of three separate divisions.
On November 2, 2016, Des Moines Police Department Officer Sergeant Anthony Beminio and Urbandale Police Department Officer Justin Martin were killed in ambush-style shootings near Des Moines. The shooting received national attention as President Barack Obama described the killings as “shameful acts of violence," and continued on to say “Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Officer Justin Martin represented our best, most decent instincts as human beings — to serve our neighbors, to put ourselves in harm’s way for someone else.” The lone suspect, Scott Michael Greene, was quickly identified and apprehended by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa State Patrol the same day.

Fallen officers

In the history of the Des Moines Police Department, 23 officers and 1 K9 unit have been killed in the line of duty.
OfficerDate of deathCause of death
Sergeant Anthony David Beminio
November 2, 2016
Gunfire
Police Officer Susan Louise Farrell
March 26, 2016
Vehicular assault
Police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales
March 26, 2016
Vehicular assault
Police Officer Roger Ray Hildreth
February 21, 2008
Heart attack
Police Officer Sean Wissink
February 11, 2007
Automobile accident
Police Officer Dennis Earl Hill
August 28, 1977
Gunfire
Patrolman Brian Charles Melton
April 21, 1977
Gunfire
Patrolman James Emory Rodine
August 13, 1968
Gunfire
Captain Charles T. Andreano
July 30, 1964
Automobile accident
Patrolman George Wesley Schane
May 4, 1942
Gunfire
Captain Steven Tabor Howard
March 2, 1935
Gunfire
Sergeant Harry Linn Booton
December 11, 1932
Gunfire
Sergeant James Joshua Cowart
December 7, 1931
Gunfire
Sergeant Rupert L. Shepherd
August 1, 1930
Motorcycle accident
Patrolman Harry Ogilvie
July 12, 1930
Gunfire
Patrolman James A. Staggs
April 20, 1928
Vehicular assault
Patrolman Gerald D. Pickett
September 24, 1925
Motorcycle accident
Patrolman Ollie D. Thomas
August 20, 1925
Gunfire
Detective Cornelius J. McCarthy
September 27, 1919
Gunfire
Chief of Police Charles Chester Jackson
December 16, 1918
Gunfire
Officer George William Mattern
April 12, 1918
Gunfire
Detective Frank Delmege
September 20, 1909
Gunfire
Special Officer Edward H. "Elijah" Wishart
July 1, 1891
Gunfire
K9 UnitDate of deathCause of death
K9 Harley
August 29, 2012
Heat exhaustion