Cedar Rapids Police Department (Iowa)

Early historical records from the 1840s indicate that a lone constable served the Cedar Rapids population. By 1883, the Cedar Rapids Police Department had grown to 12 Police Officers. In 1948, the department completed an FM police radio installation which allowed all emergency services to communicate with each other.[1]

The department has a substation located at 1233 1st Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The substation is also known as the Community Connections Resource Center and was opened in 2009. The substation serves not only as a space for officers to complete reports and other duties, but is also used by employees of the Willis Dady Emergency Homeless shelter. Additionally, the substation is used for various community meetings and events.[2]

A traffic stop conducted by a Cedar Rapids Police Officer resulted in an officer-involved shooting on November 1 that has gathered national attention.[3] The incident involved a white police officer, Officer Lucas Jones, who shot and paralyzed a black, unarmed motorist, Jerime Mitchell, from the neck down.[4] Upon search of Mitchell's vehicle, 1 pound of marijuana, $1,500 in cash, and scales were located. Police also reviewed Mitchell's cell phone records and discovered text messages in which he planned to sell the marijuana to a customer.[5] Officer Lucas Jones has been cleared of any criminal charges by a grand jury.[6]

In the history of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, six officers have been killed while on duty.[7]