You can call ISU Police by dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency. This number is continually monitored by trained communications officers. It should be used ONLY to report an incident where an immediate response is required by police, fire or paramedics. Non-emergency and routine business calls should be placed to (515) 294-4428.
Follow the guidelines listed below to ensure you receive the help you need without delay. If you are the victim of, or a witness to a crime on campus, you should call ISU Police immediately by dialing 911 or 294-4428. A dispatcher will take your call.
What Happens When You Call 911? Dialing 911 from a land-line phone (including pay phones) will automatically route your phone call to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where the phone call originated. Dialing 911 from a campus phone will route your call to the ISU Police Communications Center, which has direct phone and radio contact with all local emergency response units, including campus police officers, the fire department, and ambulance services.
When you place a 911 call from your cellular phone, your call will be routed to the State Patrol Communications Center in Des Moines. Therefore, you need to be prepared to inform the state patrol dispatcher of your exact location and that you need to be connected to ISU Police. You will be told your call is being transferred. DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE. There will be a slight delay in the phone transfer; you will not hear a ring. Stay on the line until the dispatcher answers.
You may also call ISU Police directly on your cell phone at (515) 294-4428. Stay on the line until the dispatcher obtains all information needed to assist you.
When you call 911 or 294-4428, ISU police dispatch personnel will answer your call. The dispatcher will ask you a series of questions to determine if the call requires an emergency response. If an emergency response is required, you will be asked to wait on the line while an officer is dispatched to your location.
If an emergency response is not required, an officer will be sent to meet with you as soon as possible.
The dispatcher will ask specific questions quickly at first, such as your location, the nature of the problem, a name, and callback number. Once an officer, fire truck, or ambulance is en route, the dispatcher will ask for more detailed information about the incident you are reporting. ISU Police dispatchers will continue to transmit information to the officers and emergency responders en route to your location.
When the officer arrives, he or she will begin by gathering preliminary information. If medical assistance or additional investigative support is required, the responding officer will arrange for that assistance to be provided. The officer will then work with you to gather detailed information regarding the incident. That information will be used in the initial report.
Depending on the nature of the incident, it may be investigated by the initial officer who takes the report, or it may be assigned to an officer for additional specialized investigation.
The initial investigative report is generally available within 48 hours. Officers will follow up on all available information. The assigned police officer(s) or staff from Support Services will remain in contact with you regarding developments in your case.
When You Report A Crime When you contact ISU Police to report a crime, an officer will be dispatched to you or you will be asked to come to our office. The officer will work with you to gather detailed information regarding the incident. In some cases, you may be asked to provide a written statement. You will be given a case number, contact name, and phone number to reach the officer in case you have questions or want to provide additional information. Based on the circumstances, the officer may request criminal charges be filed. Your testimony will be necessary if the case goes to trial. Officers and personnel from ISU DPS Support Services will assist you thereabout the process and will connect you with other resources in the community as needed. Arrests, charges, and prosecution may not be possible in all cases.
