Patrol Section
The Patrol Section is an intricate part of the department. This section provides around-the-clock services to the community. Officers assigned to patrol work hard to keep the lines of communication open between the Department and the community. Each officer is assigned to a routine beat so they can learn the businesses, the neighborhood and the people that make up that neighborhood.
Shift Information:
1st Watch - 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
2nd Watch - 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM
3rd Watch - 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Canine (K-9)
The Des Moines Police Department Canine Unit hit the streets of the City in December of 2000 with three canine teams. They have now expanded to five teams. All of the canines are certified as Police Dog One and Detector Dogs through the United States Police Canine Association.
The canines are used for a variety of purposes including: tracking missing persons and suspects, searching for evidence and drugs, and helping to apprehend criminals. The canines are an important asset to the Des Moines Police Department in its fight against crime.
Mounted Patrol
The Mounted Patrol Unit is a group of police officers, under the coordination of the Community Outreach Supervisor, who provide a contingency of officers on horseback. The mounted patrol serves largely as a community relation function during parades and other events, however, they may provide an additional element for crowd and traffic control during community functions.
Those involved are required to provide a suitable horse, and assume the responsibility for care, boarding and transportation to and from events. Participation is strictly voluntary, and considered an additional duty assignment.
If you are interested in applying, please contact the Des Moines Police Department.
Parking Enforcement
The Parking Enforcement Unit consists of a sergeant, one officer, one cadet and civilian parking enforcement personnel. This squad is responsible for the following:
• All parking meter enforcement
• Parking Regulation/Zone enforcement
• Enforcement of all City Parking Permits (approximately 850 issued each year)
• Assist with Traffic Control, as needed, for special events
• Target habitual parking violators
• Interact with neighborhood associations to target abandoned vehicles within their neighborhood and any other chronic parking problem
The squad is a valuable asset in relieving patrol officers from responding to parking enforcement calls. The Patrol Support Unit is supervised by a Sergeant.
If you have received a parking ticket you may pay your fine online.
If you believe the parking ticket received by you is unwarranted you may appeal fill out a Parking Ticket Appeal Form.
Patrol Support Unit
The Patrol Support Unit provides support for the three watches that make up the Patrol Bureau under the Operations Division. The support staff addresses all work related issues regarding efficiency and equipment for the Patrol Bureau. This unit also coordinates public activities, annual shift bidding, training, fleet management, and equipment maintenance and testing for the Patrol Bureau. Patrol Support Unit is under the Assistant Chief of the Operations Division and commanded by a Captain. Patrol Support Unit is supervised by a Sergeant and includes two Senior Police Officers, a cadet, and two civilian employees.
They also assist with the research and testing of new equipment and are responsible for management of vehicles used by officers in the Patrol Division.