A former Iowa City police officer is suing the city, alleging racial discrimination related to excessive-force complaints. Emilio M. Puente is seeking unspecified damages for alleged violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. According to the lawsuit, the Iowa City Police Department hired Puente in April […]
Iowa City Police
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ICPD officer shoots ‘an armed suicidal subject’ in incident under state investigation
An Iowa City Police Department officer shot a person on Monday morning while responding to a report about an armed and potentially suicidal individual. “At 8:41 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2024, Iowa City Police Officers responded to the 1100 block of Wylde Green Road for a report of an armed suicidal subject,” the department said […]
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Chris Kelly, arrested for ‘walking while Black’ in 2019, sues ICPD officers, a county attorney, Iowa City and Johnson County
Chris Kelly, an Iowa City resident who was arrested by Iowa City Police officers in a case a federal judge later called “a story of ‘walking while black,’” has filed a federal lawsuit against the officers who arrested him, an assistant Johnson County Attorney, as well as both Iowa City and Johnson County. The lawsuit […]
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Iowa City launches website to let public track progress on police reform, racial equity and social justice goals
Iowa City has added a section to the city’s website, allowing the public to see how much progress is being made on the council’s 17-point resolution addressing the demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders regarding policing, affordable housing and other issue involving racial justice and equity. City Manager Geoff Fruin called the new section “a […]
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Iowa City Chief of Police Jody Matherly announces his retirement
Iowa City’s chief of police Jody Matherly announced on Thursday he is retiring. “I could not have dreamed that serving the Iowa City community over the last three years would have had such a positive impact on me,” Matherly said in a written statement. “Over the past couple years, I have experienced some health concerns
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Iowa City Police officer shot by BB gun, suspect shot by police on Riverside Drive
An Iowa City Police officer was “shot multiple times” by a suspect armed with a BB gun on Monday afternoon. The officer fired his weapon striking the suspect. ICPD has not named either the officer or the suspect. Both were transported to a local hospital and are in stable condition, according to a statement from the ICPD.
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Letter to the Editor: In support of IC Interim Police Chief Kelsay
By Mary Gravitt, Iowa City I am perfectly satisfied with Interim Chief Troy Kelsay being Iowa City’s permanent police chief. The reason for this he is well educated and experienced: Kelsay was the ICPD’s captain of field operations — he has been with the ICPD since 1991. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001, to […]
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Police: Armed Missouri man pulls out loaded gun magazine at Ped Mall bar, gets into scuffle with staff
A man from Bowling Green, Missouri was arrested Wednesday night in the Ped Mall after allegedly pulling out a loaded gun magazine while being kicked out by bar staff, according to the Iowa City Police Department. Police were called to the Ped Mall shortly after 10 p.m. after receiving a report about a man with […]
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Owens investigation turns up video surveillance but no hate crime
Following an Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) investigation, the April 30 events that left one University of Iowa student with injuries — including broken teeth — were found not have been a hate crime and charges are not likely to be filed, according to a news release issued yesterday by the ICPD. On May 2, […]
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UI asked to explain delayed crime alert with #ExplainIowa campaign
The hashtag campaign #ExplainIowa began today, demanding an explanation from University of Iowa officials for their lag time in issuing a crime alert following a reported assault. The alleged assault occurred on Saturday, Apr. 30 and was not reported to Iowa City Police Department until Monday, May 2. The University of Iowa did not issue a […]
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Collateral Damage: A run-in with SWAT leaves one Johnson County family picking up the pieces
It was a late Tuesday morning last December, and Erin Sullivan had been home with her newborn baby for just a day. As she sat down in her front living room…
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ICPD Body Cameras: Here’s what we know
On Sept. 16, the Iowa City City Council approved $211,000 in funding for the Iowa City Police Department to purchase 84 body cameras — enough to cover the entire force. The use of officer-worn body cameras has become increasingly common in recent years, though rules and regulations stipulating their use varies widely across the country, […]
