Gang Task Force

As part of our Mission to partner with the community, reduce crime, create a safe environment, and enhance quality of life, the Waterloo Police Department has formed a Gang Task Force.  The Gang Task Force is comprised of key personnel from within the criminal justice system and educational institutions in the Cedar Valley.  Officers involved in the Gang Task Force receive specialized training in identifying gang behaviors, symbols, and graffiti.

The goals of the Gang Task Force are as follows:

1) To identify and monitor gang activity in the Cedar Valley.

2) To identify gang trends.

3) To identify active gang members.

4) To develop effective strategies to disrupt gang activity.

In addition to performing their regular duties, Gang Task Force members are available to give educational presentations to civic groups and government entities on various gang prevention and identification topics.  If you would like to read more about gangs, please visit the National Gang Center online at www.nationalgangcenter.gov

Domestic Abuse Response Team

• D.A.R.T. began January 1, 1997 and was made possible by a federal grant through the STOP Violence Against Women Act
• D.A.R.T. uses the “Exchange Theory” and evidence based prosecution to combat domestic violence
• Waterloo has the first and only dedicated Domestic Abuse Response Team in the State of Iowa
• The D.A.R.T. members are Police Investigator Stacy Hesse, Seeds of Hope Victim Advocate Brianna Fleming, and Assistant Black Hawk County Attorney Michelle Wagner
• D.A.R.T. works over 450 domestic violence related cases per year with an exceptional conviction rate and a low dismissal rate.
• The Goals of the DART program
  • Increased arrests for domestic abuse assaults
  • Expanded victim advocacy services
  • Increased number of guilty verdicts obtained
  • Reduction in repeat offenses of domestic violence
  • Increased Criminal Justice System participation
  • Reducing dual arrests by identifying primary aggressor
  • Aggressively prosecute cases without victim cooperation

Contact the Domestic Abuse Response Team at 291-4331 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Crime Lab Unit

• The Waterloo Police Crime lab consists of a sergeant, 3 full-time Crime Lab Investigators (CLI’s) and 19 Crime Scene Investigators (CSI’s)
• The Waterloo Police Crime Lab takes over 15,000 evidentiary photographs yearly
• 4 CLI’s are certified experts in marijuana recognition
• CLI’s examine over 600 marijuana cases per year
• CLI’s and CSI’s handle over 4000 cases per year
• CLI’s submit hundreds of drug, DNA and other evidentiary samples to the state crime lab each year

To contact the Lab email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 291-4340 and follow the prompts.

School Resource Unit

• The School Resource Program (SRO) was introduced during the 1990-91 school year
• The SRO program consists of six police officers and one sergeant
• The officers are assigned to the two public high schools, 3 public middle schools, and one alternative Learning Center in Waterloo. Their responsibilities extend to all the other schools, both public and parochial
• An SRO’s function is preventative in nature, SROs are NOT security guards
• SROs are visible, active law enforcement figures who deal with any law enforcement related issues in the schools
• SROs are:
  • A classroom resource who instruct students in crime, safety, and alcohol and drug prevention programs
  • A student resource who help provide a safe and secure learning environment and provide a positive role model for students to emulate
  • A parent and teacher resource who provide guidance in law enforcement related issues in a familiar and non-threatening environment

To contact the School Resource Unit, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 291-4340 and follow the prompts for Investigations