Have you been curious about what our officers have been up to all month?

 

The Independence Police Department is sharing a sample of the calls for service each month to inform and educate community members on the work we do.

 

OCTOBER 2024

In October, officers engaged in 855 activities, including 23 Arrests (Adults and Juvenile), 18 check welfares, 12 domestic disturbances, 4 hit-and-run crashes, 18 emotional health calls, and 33 Suspicious Activity / Person / Vehicle calls.

  • Two teenagers were referred for starting a fire behind The Gate. The fire was in the bark dust near a bunch of shrubs and dead grass.
  • Officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with its front plate displayed in the window and the registered owner was suspended.  The driver admitted to not having a license. The driver was required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in his vehicle which he did not. The man was arrested for DWS Misdemeanor and cited for Failure to Install an IID.
  • Officers responded to a possible suicidal man. When attempting to contact the man, he ran and jumped over a ledge, landing on his head, and becoming unconscious. The man was then taken to the hospital.
  • An officer recognized a man with an active warrant while refueling and attempted to make contact but lost sight of him. The officer later spotted the individual near his residence and activated emergency lights, but the man ignored the officer’s commands and went into his home, shutting the door. Additional officers arrived, and with assistance from the individual’s mother, he was eventually convinced to come outside. He was then taken into custody on a warrant and for Interfering with a Police Officer.
  • Officers responded to a report of a suspected intruder discovered in a home, where gate hardware had been removed and left on the back porch. Nearby surveillance footage showed a woman matching the description of a known individual from a local homeless camp. She was later located and arrested on charges of trespass and drug possession. During the arrest, she was found with food she admitted to taking from an unknown garage. Shortly after, another resident reported signs of a break-in, identifying items found with the suspect as theirs. The woman was arrested for Trespass 1, Attempted Trespass 1, 2 counts of Trespass 2, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and Burglary 1 – Residence. (see photo).
  • Officers received a report of a vehicle that had hit another parked vehicle. The driver of the vehicle showed signs of impairment and officers administered field sobriety tests. The driver was arrested for DUII and her BAC was .04%
  • Officers responded to a robbery call at Waremart involving a woman with a knife who reportedly jumped on a vehicle, grabbed a dog, slashed tires, and walked away. The vehicle’s owner, the suspect’s ex-boyfriend, declined to press charges. Later, the suspect was stopped by a Polk County deputy, who was informed of probable cause for arrest. She was transported to the Polk County Jail, where officers interviewed and arrested her for disorderly conduct.
  • Officers attempted a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle, but the driver failed to pull over. The vehicle briefly stopped at a light, where officers directed the driver to stop, but he continued driving, evading a Monmouth patrol car by entering oncoming traffic and driving over a curb. A pursuit ensued, ending when the driver parked and ran on foot. He was apprehended by officers, taken to the station, and given field sobriety tests. The driver was arrested for DUII, reckless driving, attempting to elude, and driving while suspended, with a BAC of .18%.

This is just a sample portion of what your Independence Police Officers do on a monthly basis. Reach out if you need us! We’re here to serve you.