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 30, 2026.
Iowa City, Iowa, in Johnson County, has about 77,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Iowa City 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: Iowa City public records, Johnson County police reports, Iowa City arrest records, Iowa City warrants, Iowa City criminal records, Iowa City court records, Iowa arrest records and Iowa inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Iowa City
A crime, incident or collision report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, and that agency releases it, not the court, the jail or the prosecutor.
Inside Iowa City that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Iowa City Police Department); outside it, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI's list also carries the University of Iowa (campus police), with a records office of its own.
The West Branch Police Department is listed by the FBI across two counties including Johnson County, so its arrests are not broken out for Johnson County here.
Reports from the Iowa City Police
For Iowa City, SearchSystems opened and checked the Iowa City police records page at icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/police-department/fi... (page title: File a Police Report | Iowa City, IA), phone 319-356-5275, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Iowa City had 198 violent and 1,239 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 2,426 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 60 violent and 94 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 417 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit.
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.
Any other county record goes through the county records request page SearchSystems verified, at johnsoncountyiowa.gov/requests-public-records (page title: Johnson County Iowa requests for public records).
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the County Attorney, 319-339-6100, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Iowa City?
From the agency that took it. The Iowa City police records page is at icgov.org, phone 319-356-5275; the sheriff's reports come from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Iowa City 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 Johnson County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit. 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 Iowa City 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.