Urbandale Police Department

This June, we’re proud to recognize the dedicated officers and reserve officers of the Urbandale Police Department who are marking service anniversaries.

Thank you for your commitment, professionalism, and continued service to the Urbandale community. We appreciate all that you do and congratulations on reaching this milestone! 🚓

Continue to be safe out there💙

🚓OPERATION: DUCK RESCUE🐥

On May 22nd, Officer Ryan Mincks was dispatched to the area of 142nd St and Timberline Dr after several baby ducks took an unexpected detour into a storm drain and couldn’t get back out.

Without hesitation, Officer Mincks climbed down into the storm drain, carefully scooped up the stranded ducklings, and with the help of some awesome nearby citizens, every single duckling was safely reunited with mom. 💛

We’re happy to report the family waddled away safely together.

Great teamwork, quick thinking, and a reminder that no call is too small when it comes to helping our community — even the feathered members. 🐥👏

☀️🚔National Heat Awareness Day🚔☀️

As temperatures rise, the Urbandale Police Department wants to remind everyone about the very real dangers of leaving children or pets inside parked vehicles — even for “just a minute.”

🌡️On a warm day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. Cracking the windows DOES NOT help. When it’s 85° outside, the inside of a car can reach over 100° in minutes — and continue climbing rapidly.

👶Children’s bodies heat up 3–5 times faster than adults, making them especially vulnerable to heatstroke.

🐾Pets are also at extreme risk. Dogs and cats cannot cool themselves efficiently in hot vehicles, and severe injury or death can happen quickly.

🚫 Never leave:
• Children unattended in a vehicle
• Pets inside parked cars
• Keys or fobs where children can access them

✅ Before locking your vehicle:
• Check the back seat every time
• Place a purse, phone, or work badge in the back seat as a reminder
• If you see a child or pet alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately

Stay safe, stay cool, and look out for one another☀️💙

As e-bikes and e-scooters continue to grow in popularity, it’s important for parents and guardians to understand the safety risks and responsibilities that come with them.

We encourage all families to take a few moments to review these important safety flyers provided by Blank Children’s Hospital. The information covers safe riding practices, injury prevention, helmet use, and important laws and guidelines that can help keep our kids safe.

A quick conversation today can help prevent a serious injury tomorrow. Please read and share with others in our community!

This Memorial Day, the men and women of the Urbandale Police Department pause to honor and remember the brave service members who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty will never be forgotten.

As we spend time with family and friends this holiday weekend, we also reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day — remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

We especially honor the Iowans we lost this past year while serving overseas in Syria and Kuwait:
• Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown
• Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar of Des Moines
• Sgt. Declan Coady of West Des Moines
• Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien of Waukee

These heroes answered the call to serve and gave everything in service to our country. This Memorial Day, may we all strive to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.

As you celebrate the holiday weekend with friends and family, please make safety part of your plans. If your celebration includes alcohol, take advantage of the provided $10 Uber voucher and make sure you have a safe ride home. 🚘

Choosing not to drink and drive protects not only you, but everyone else on the road. A quick ride share is always cheaper — and safer — than the consequences of impaired driving.

✔️ Plan ahead
✔️ Use your Uber voucher
✔️ Get home safely

Let’s work together to keep our roads safe this Memorial Day weekend. Have fun, celebrate responsibly, and thank you for doing your part!

🐾A Friendly Reminder About Urbandale’s Leash Law🐾

With warmer weather here, we’re seeing more neighbors and their four-legged friends out enjoying our parks, trails, and neighborhoods and we love to see it☀️🐶

As a reminder, City of Urbandale ordinance requires dogs to be on a maximum 6ft leash when off their owner’s property unless they are in a designated off-leash area. Leashes help keep pets safe, prevent unexpected encounters, and ensure everyone can comfortably enjoy shared our public spaces.

Even the most well-behaved dogs can become distracted or startled, so keeping them leashed protects your pet, other animals, and fellow community members.

Thank you for helping keep Urbandale safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone — both two-legged and four-legged! 🐕❤️

BUCKLE UP🚔

Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to support NHTSA's Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort. This seatbelt-focused enforcement campaign will run from May 18-31, 2026.

Wearing your seat belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your passengers in a crash. Whether you’re heading across town or across the state, make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled before hitting the road.

During this enforcement period, officers will be focusing on seat belt violations to help keep our roads safe for everyone. The message is simple: Click It or Ticket.

🍩THE RESULTS ARE IN🚔

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, this year’s Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser for Special Olympics Iowa was a huge success! 💙

🎉 Statewide, Iowa law enforcement agencies helped raise an amazing $36,358 for Special Olympics Iowa! And right here at the Johnston Dunkin location, YOU helped raise $1,009!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, donated, honked, waved, or cheered us on from below the rooftop! ☕🍩🚓We’re proud to support such an amazing cause and even more proud of the community that always shows up to help.

We’d also like to give a special shoutout to our friends at the Johnston Police Department-Iowa and the Iowa League of Heroes for joining us on the rooftop and helping make the event so much fun! 🚓