Des Moines Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission — the civilian oversight body for Des Moines. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Des Moines Civil and Human Rights CommissionHow easy is it to share feedback with Des Moines?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 08/01/2024.
Des Moines Police Department (IA)
How to file a complaint about a Des Moines Police Department officer
The Des Moines Police Department serves roughly 209,658 residents. If you had a problem with an officer, you have three distinct ways to file a complaint — and they are not equivalent. Here is how each one works in Des Moines, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission — independent civilian oversight
The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Des Moines Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. Note that it requires identification — anonymous complaints are not investigated. No notarization is required to file. Complaints must be filed within 300 days of the incident.
- How the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission complaint process works
- By phone: (515) 283-4284
- In person or by mail: 2309 Euclid Ave., Des Moines IA 50310
- Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission website
2. Des Moines Police Department Des Moines Police Department Office of Professional Standards — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Des Moines Police Department Office of Professional Standards are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.
- Email: ops@dmgov.org
- Phone: 515-283-4816
- In person or by mail: 25 E 1St St, Des Moines IA 50309
- Department page on the complaint process
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- As of our last audit, the Des Moines Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- General department line: (515) 283-4811
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 08/01/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.