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1. What is the difference between a sheriff’s deputy, a police officer, and an Iowa State trooper?

All three are peace officers and are authorized under the Iowa Code with identical police powers anywhere in the State of Iowa.

• A deputy sheriff works for the County Sheriff’s Office. The State of Iowa is divided into 99 counties. The Story County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement, plus operates the county jail and courts. Some independent cities provide their own police force. In Story County, there are rural towns that do not have local law enforcement. Many towns contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. This contract provides all the services of a normal police department (including extra services such as SWAT teams, specialized detective services, and emergency services)


• A police officer works for a specific community (i.e., the Ames Police Department).


• In state-operated facilities, the Iowa Department of Public Safety provides law-enforcement functions. The Iowa State Patrol provides traffic-related enforcement in different communities as well as the interstates and highways

2. What happens if I refuse to sign a ticket I do not agree with?

Signing a ticket or citation is not a plea of guilt. Since the officer is charging you with a violation of the law, you could be taken to jail. By signing the citation you are released on your own recognizance and retain the right to show up on your court date to contest the issuance of the citation, or plead guilty by paying the fine.

3. How long will I have to wait for a deputy sheriff to respond to my call?

Calls for service are prioritized based on the level of emergency that each call represents. Certain calls, such as crimes in progress, accidents, and officer safety-related calls, can take priority over nonviolent crimes and report calls. Because emergent calls can require more than one deputy, they may be delayed in responding to a non-emergent call. Dispatch will attempt to advise you if there should be an unexpected delay in the deputy’s response. Please do not use 9-1-1 for non-emergency situations.

4. What kind of training do Story County Deputies receive?

Deputies are trained at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for approximately 15 weeks. After the academy is completed, new deputies participate in field training, which lasts on average three months. Deputies continually receive updated training in their career along with training in specialized areas.

5. How are crimes investigated?

When a crime is reported, a deputy responds to the scene. Once the deputy deems the scene as safe, the deputy will begin an investigation if necessary. Depending on the incident, the deputy may perform interviews, seal off the crime scene, and locate evidence. After the preliminary investigation is complete, any follow-up that is needed may be handled by detectives.

6. What happens when an investigation is completed?

In criminal investigations, the case is completed when the suspect has been identified and arrested. At this point, the case is forwarded to the Story County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

7. How do I avoid getting ripped-off online?

If you are concerned about being defrauded, only buy from sellers in which you initiate the contact (no telemarketers, door-to-door sales, or mail orders).

If you’re using an online auction site, such as eBay: 

• Don’t give away your password or personal details.


• Get to know the buyer or seller. Ask them questions and get their response.


• Understand the auction process, the website’s rules and own safety advice. 

When selling an item, never accept payments for more than the price of the item. Scammers often use counterfeit checks and overpay, asking you to cash the check and return the balance to them. You become responsible for the fraudulent check and are required to repay the financial institution.

Conmen are very good a influencing you to do what they want.

• They might request upfront payments or private information


• They will have a false sense of urgency


• They will include odd, unneeded details


• They will promise giant rewards, lottery wins, lost inheritances, etc…

When in doubt, trust your instincts and don’t buy into them!

8. What are the State of Iowa child restraint laws?

• A child younger than 1 and weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system*
• A child 1 to 5 years old must be secured in a child restraint system (a safety seat or booster seat—not a seatbelt)
• A child from age 6 to age 17 must be secured in a child-restraint system or by a seatbelt
• Rear occupants up to age 18 must be secured by a safety belt

*A child restraint system is a specifically designed seating system, including a belt positioning seat or booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards (Iowa Code 321.446)

9. I just hit a deer with my car. Do I have to report it?

According to the Iowa Code, if the total damage of property exceeds $1,500, the collision has to be reported to local law enforcement for a State of Iowa DOT report. If the total damage is less than $1,500, the collision does not have to be reported, unless there is road blockage, personal injuries, or damage to someone else’s property. If in doubt, contact law enforcement.