Reviewed and updated October 9, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. The arrest and crime counts are the ones each agency reported to the FBI, as the FBI held them on October 8, 2026. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 24, 2026 and September 26, 2026.
Estherville, Iowa, in Emmet County, has about 5,800 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Estherville depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Iowa Open Records Law (Chapter 22) requires of it.
This guide covers which agency, the city's records page, the sheriff's reports, what the law requires and common questions.
Related guides: Estherville public records, Emmet County police reports, Estherville arrest records, Estherville warrants, Estherville inmate search, Estherville criminal records, Iowa arrest records and Iowa inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Estherville
The report of an incident is released by the agency that took it; the court and the jail hold their own records of the same event, but not the report.
Inside Estherville that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Estherville Police Department); outside it, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.
Reports from the Estherville Police
For Estherville, SearchSystems opened and checked the Estherville police department's page at cityofestherville.org/departments/police/index.php (page title: City of Estherville, IA), phone (712) 362-3515, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Estherville had 13 violent and 15 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 98 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Emmet County Sheriff's Office
The Emmet County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 1 violent and 5 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 81 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit, reached through the office at 888-742-8463. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at emmetcountyia.gov/county-offices/sheriff (page title: Sheriff | Emmet County Iowa), phone 888-742-8463, 114 North 6th Street Suite #2 Estherville, IA 51334, Thursdays and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 24, 2026.
What the Iowa Open Records Law (Chapter 22) Requires
Under the Iowa Open Records Law (Chapter 22) the agency must answer a request without delay; the law sets no fixed number of days, and a delay past 20 days must be justified, and it may charge the actual cost of copying and retrieval. The request goes to the agency that holds the report, in writing, and does not have to say why the report is wanted.
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the County Attorney, 888-742-8463, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Estherville?
From the agency that took it. The Estherville police department's page is at cityofestherville.org, phone (712) 362-3515; the sheriff's reports come from the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Estherville have to answer?
Under the Iowa Open Records Law (Chapter 22), without delay; the law sets no fixed number of days, and a delay past 20 days must be justified. It may charge the actual cost of copying and retrieval.
How do I get a report from the Emmet County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit, reached through the office at 888-742-8463. Under the Iowa Open Records Law (Chapter 22) the answer is due without delay; the law sets no fixed number of days, and a delay past 20 days must be justified.
Is this the official Estherville website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official city, county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.