The Records Bureau is responsible for the accurate  and efficient processing and maintenance of records during the day-to-day operations of the Davenport Police Department. Police Services Generalists (PSG) collect, file, update, and process records daily in order to more accurately and expeditiously serve the department and the Criminal Justice Community as a whole. Additionally, PSGs assist the public with their requests for information and provide explanations pertaining to the various aspects of police records.

Case reports and supplements are produced by police officers and civilian employees within the department. The PSGs interpret the case reports and supplements in a process called coding. During the coding process, the PSGs collect from each case report and supplement the names and personal data of the many victims, offenders, witnesses and arrested subjects as well as determining what crime occurred and adding that information for statistical reporting.

PSGs responsibilities include, but are not limited to, front desk duty, report taking, traffic duties, records window duty and miscellaneous tasks. While performing front desk duty, the PSGs answer thousands of phone calls and provide direction to hundreds of citizens each year. Traffic duties require PSGs to maintain information on impounded vehicles; and, provide vehicle and property/release information for impounded vehicles to citizens. While performing records window duties, the PSGs provide over-the-counter services to citizens for the dissemination of copies of reports and other special requests made by citizens. Miscellaneous tasks are an additional duty of the PSGs which include but are not limited to processing background checks, report requests, insurance requests, fulfillment of subpoenas, trespass notices, juvenile-sealings (records/cases sealed and treated as if never existed), taxi licenses, mug shots, victim reparations, obituaries, and school bus violations. 

The Records Bureau is responsible for compiling crime statistics as they apply to the changing trends of criminal activity throughout the nation. These statistics are submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Clarksburg, WV, where they are added to those of other agencies throughout the United States. The FBI then compiles detailed crime statistics for the local jurisdictions, the states and the nation and distributes this information to aid these law enforcement agencies in their common fight against crime.

For more information, contact:
Records Bureau Supervisor Lyndsey Seifert
[email protected]
563-326-6183

The Identification Bureau is comprised of the Civilian Crime Scene Unit, Civilian Property and Evidence Unit, and the Computer Forensic Unit.  The primary functions of the Identification Bureau include responding to crime scenes, processing and examining forensic evidence to identify suspects in crimes, processing and examining digital evidence, and maintaining proper chain of custody of evidence.   The Identification Bureau has an authorized strength of eight civilian employees and two sworn employees.

CRIME SCENE UNIT

The Civilian Crime Scene Unit of the Davenport Police Department is responsible for responding to crime scenes involving homicides, death investigations, robberies, sex crimes, assaults, burglaries, thefts, criminal damage, crash investigations, drug/narcotic crimes and weapons offenses. The crime scene technicians take digital photographs to preserve the appearance of crime scenes, evidence, victims and/or suspects. They locate, identify, process, collect, package, document and secure physical evidence and conduct any follow-up tasks involved with these responsibilities. Utilizing the DPD Crime Lab, the civilian crime scene technicians process many different items of evidence for latent prints using a combination of powders, chemicals and alternate light sources. They collect trace evidence and DNA. In addition, they perform marijuana identification testing on marijuana cases scheduled for court.  The civilian crime scene technicians prepare all proper documentation and testify in court.

The Civilian Crime Scene Unit has an authorized strength of four civilian crime scene technicians and one lead civilian crime scene technician.

PROPERTY & EVIDENCE UNIT

The Property & Evidence Storage Technicians are responsible for maintaining the proper chain of custody of all evidence including the handling, storage, transfer, research, return, and destruction of evidence and found property. The Property & Evidence Storage Technicians prepare all proper documentation and testify in court.

The Property & Evidence Unit has an authorized strength of two civilian employees. The Property & Evidence Storage Technicians are Certified Property & Evidence Specialists through the International Association for Property & Evidence. In addition to two full-time employees, two VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) assist the Property & Evidence Storage Technicians. The volunteers donate approximately 20 hours per week on a weekly basis assisting the full-time staff with their duties.

COMPUTER FORENSICS UNIT

The Computer Forensics Unit is tasked with analyzing digital evidence by performing hardware, software, and virtual analyses of digital evidence in the computer laboratory and in the field.  The Forensic Computer Examiners process and analyze digital evidence, including disassembly of computer hardware; forensic imaging of digital media; examination of data related to criminal offenses; recovery of data from cellular telephones; and, assist other Units and agencies with search warrants involving digital evidence.  The Computer Forensics Unit has any authorized strength of two sworn employees. 

For more information, contact:
ID Bureau Manager Jessica Heising
[email protected]
563-888-3696

The Crime Prevention Bureau consists of the Community Impact Team (CIT) and the School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit. The Bureau is commanded by a lieutenant. Crime Prevention personnel also serve as liaisons for mental health advocacy and homeless outreach in our community.

COMMUNITY IMPACT TEAM (CIT)

The Community Impact Team consist of one sergeant and one officer.  The City of Davenport recognizes the importance of the police department’s role in partnering with neighborhoods and other community organizations throughout the city. The Community Impact Team focuses on building positive, meaningful, and trusting relationships by utilizing Community and Problem Oriented Policing concepts to identify, assess, and resolve neighborhood issues. CIT officers are experts in utilizing their knowledge of community and government resources to develop strategies that best suit a particular neighborhood. This includes everything from participation in community events to various enforcement actions. CIT officers also support and assist those interested in establishing the Good Neighbor Project in their neighborhood.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER UNIT (SRO)

The School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit is staffed by one sergeant and four officers assigned to the Davenport Community School District.  During the school year, one officer works at Davenport Central High School and one officer works at Davenport West High School. The two remaining officers split time between the four Davenport Intermediate Schools. The sergeant is assigned year round to the school district. The SRO's are specially trained police officers who work in collaboration with school staff to provide a safe and equitable learning environment. The role of the SRO is rooted in the three key principles of safety, education, and mentorship. 

For more information, contact:
Lieutenant Mark Hanssen
[email protected]
563-888-3566

The mission of the Davenport Police Department Training Bureau is to prepare professional sworn and non-sworn employees to meet the rapidly evolving needs of modern society.  Quality training enables our employees to provide quality service to the citizens of Davenport. 

Training for our employees begins when they are hired and ends when they retire.  The Training Bureau prepares newly hired officers for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, transitions them to the Field Training Program when they graduate, and provides continuing education in the form of in-service training throughout their career.   

In-Service training is instructed by employees assigned to the Training Bureau as well as other sworn and non-sworn employees from various areas, throughout the department, who are certified to instruct their respective areas of expertise.  Instructors from outside the Department are also utilized for certain courses of instruction.

The Davenport Police Department's training facilities consist of a state of the art indoor tactical range, a dedicated 26' x 40' mat room for defensive tactics training, a dedicated Firearms Training Simulator (F.A.T.S.) system room, and a 94 seat auditorium-style classroom in the lower level of the Police Department. 

The Training Bureau consists of 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, and 1 Officer who between them are responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of departmental training.  

For more information, contact:
Lieutenant Jim Garrard
[email protected]
563-888-3606