Iowa City Police Department

Iowa City, IA 78 sworn officers ★ Community Feedback Leader
★ Civilian oversight

This department has independent oversight.

Sivil routes complaints first to Community Police Review Board — the civilian oversight body for Iowa City. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.

File directly with Community Police Review Board
Feedback features audit

How easy is it to share feedback with Iowa City?

We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 06/19/2024.

Online filing form
Yes
Public-facing form on department website
Anonymous reports
Yes
IA investigates anonymous complaints
Filing info page
Yes
Dedicated webpage explains the process
About this department

Iowa City Police Department (IA)

Filing guide

How to file a complaint about a Iowa City Police Department officer

The Iowa City Police Department serves roughly 75,396 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 Iowa City, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.

1. Community Police Review Board — independent civilian oversight

The Community Police Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Iowa City 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 180 days of the incident.

2. Iowa City Police Department Iowa City Police Department — the department's internal channel

Complaints filed with Iowa City Police Department are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.

3. File through Sivil

Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Community Police Review Board 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 Iowa City Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
  • General department line: 319-356-5275

Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 06/19/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.