This division consists of one Animal Control Officer - a contracted person who responds to animal control issues.
- Pet owners are required to register their cat or dog at the City Clerk's Office, 819 1st Ave. South, 515-576-4551.
- All pets must be on a leash when not in an enclosed yard or a fenced in area.
- Nuisance laws are also in place to curb unreasonable barking and to help promote sanitary pet-keeping.
- Pets must be vaccinated for rabies. If your pet bites someone, the bite must be reported to Animal Control at 515-573-2323 or 911 in case of emergency.


For more information, please refer to the City of Fort Dodge Animal Protection & Control Ordinance.
To reach the Animal Control Officer, call the Webster County Telecommunication Center at 515-573-2323 or 911 in case of emergency.
|
Current Speed Camera Location
Car 1: Not Deployed
Car 2: Not Deployed
|
* * * * *
If you have questions concerning a citation you received, please call the Citation Processing Center at the toll-free number on the citation, 1-844-397-3111, and an operator will be able to assist you in a timely manner. Citation Processing Center hours of availability Monday-Thursday 7 am - 7 pm. Friday 7 am- 5 pm.
To view your violation and to make a payment:
Pay online: Visit www.viewcitation.com
Pay by mail: Checks and Money Orders made payable to the City of Fort Dodge. Detach and send remittance slip along with payment.
Pay by phone: 1-844-397-3111. M-Th (7:00 am - 7:00 pm) F (7:00 am - 5:00 pm) CST. Visa, Discover and Mastercard are accepted.
*A credit card convenience fee will be added when paying online or over the phone (3.5% plus 50 cents per transaction).
Payments will NOT be accepted at the Fort Dodge Police Department or at Fort Dodge City Hall. DO NOT send cash.
* * * * *
To contest the citation:
Option 1: Administrative Hearing
You can choose to schedule an administrative hearing to contest the citation. You can choose to appear in person for an administrative hearing.
CONTEST IN PERSON:
To schedule an administrative hearing, visit www.viewcitation.com or call 1-844-397-3111, M-Th (7:00 am - 7:00 pm), F (7:00 am - 5:00 pm) CST to speak with a representative.
Details for attending the administrative hearing will be provided to you once a date and time has been scheduled.
Request MUST be made by the due date listed on the front of the notice.
Option 2: Municipal Infraction Case
You may request that the City file a municipal infraction, instead of an administrative hearing or if you are unsatisfied with the outcome of your previous administrative hearing. (see item 1 on the left of this page)
Even if you do not request a municipal infraction, the City may file one against you.
This is a case that is tried before the Iowa District Court. There are additional court costs and a filing fee associated with filing a municipal infraction. The losing party is responsible for those costs and fees. Failure to appear for the hearing may result in a finding of liability for the municipal infraction.
To request a municipal infraction case be filed, send a request to:
Fort Dodge Police Department
702 1st Avenue South
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Or by e-mailing trafficcam@fortdodgeiowa.org
Request MUST be made by the due date listed on the front of the notice.
Valid reasons to contest:
1. The operator of the vehicle was issued a uniform traffic citation for the violation in question pursuant to Fort Dodge Code Chapter 10 or Iowa Code Chapter 321 (2008).
2. The violation occurred at any time after the vehicle in question or its State Registration plates were reported to a law enforcement agency as having been stolen, provided the vehicle or its plates had not been returned to the registered owner at the time of the alleged violation.
3. The vehicle in question was an authorized emergency vehicle conducting official business.
Before paying or contesting the violation, it is recommended that you contact an attorney and review the local ordinance, images and details of the violation, which can be found at www.viewcitation.com
For more information, see Chapter 10.60 of the City of Fort Dodge Code.

Community Camera Program
Do you currently utilize private video surveillance at your home or business? If you do, we'd like to hear from you.
Video surveillance is one of the best methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in the act of committing a crime. Installing video surveillance is a great example of community-police partnerships and is something we highly value as a police agency serving our community.
How Does it Work?
The Fort Dodge Police Department is committed to our partnership with the residents and business owners in our community. Many business owners and residents currently operate surveillance systems at their businesses and/or homes. As crimes occur nearby, they are not always aware that their system may have captured information that could help solve the crime, thus keeping our community safer. In turn, the police are also not always aware who may have this potentially vital information.
The Police Department is asking residents and businesses across the city to register their privately owned surveillance camera systems. As we respond to criminal incidents, we may be able to use the information or footage gathered from the security cameras to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the criminals involved.
What are the Benefits of Registering your Camera?
By registering your camera with us, the Department can quickly identify nearby cameras that may have captured criminal activity. After registering your camera, you would only be contacted by the Fort Dodge Police Department if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of your security camera. Police personnel, if necessary, may request to view your camera footage in order to assist in the investigation. Help us make Fort Dodge an undesirable place for criminals to commit crime and help keep your entire community safe!
Registration
If you would like to tell us that you have video surveillance and allow Officers to contact you should a crime occur in or near where your cameras are installed, we kindly ask that you let us know by submitting your registration form:
Click here to submit your registration online.
Click here to download and print a registration form.
Completed applications can be emailed to fdpd@fortdodgeiowa.org or brought or mailed to:
Fort Dodge Police Department
702 1st Ave S
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Information provided to the Fort Dodge Police Department regarding your camera systems will be for official use only. The personal information that you share with the department will remain confidential as your registration in the Community Camera Program is a confidential record pursuant to Iowa Code 22.7(18).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the department have access to my cameras remotely or be able to view the footage without my knowledge?
- No, Officers can only view the footage once a citizen has viewed it and chosen to share it with officers.
Will the department use or share my personal information for anything besides requesting footage?
- No, The department will only contact you about your cameras if a crime or incident being investigated occurred near you. Your information will remain confidential.
Am I obligated to sign up for the program or turn over my footage? Do I have to pay a fee to sign up?
- The program is 100% free and voluntary, you are not obligated to release footage, even if you sign up for the program. If at any time you decide to no longer be part of the program you can contact the department and your information will be removed from the program.
Downtown parking is monitored by our Community Service Officer. On-street parking is timed, with the spaces allowing for two-hour parking.
The City of Fort Dodge offers paperless parking permits for Downtown city lots. Convenient options are available, tailored to different needs:
-
General Parking:
- Auto Renew Monthly: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, $22.00/month
- Month to Month: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, $22.00/month
- Annual: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, $242.00/year (one month free)
-
Overnight Parking:
- Auto Renew Monthly: Around the Clock 24/7, $30.00/month
- Month to Month: Around the Clock 24/7, $30.00/month
- Annual: Around the Clock 24/7, $330.00/year (one month free)
-
Reserved Parking:
- Auto Renew Monthly: Designated Parking Spot, $40.00/month
- Must contact the City/CSO to purchase.
To purchase a pass, visit https://www.tocite.net/fortdodgeiowa/portal. New users must register for an account before buying a pass. Click on the login button in the upper right-hand corner, then select “Create Account”. You will receive an email from customer_service@upsafety.net to confirm your email. After confirmation, log into your account, choose your desired permit, and complete the purchase form. Note that your ID # is your driver’s license number. You will receive an email confirmation when your parking permits are processed and approved.
Downtown Public Parking Map
Downtown Public Parking by Fort Dodge Communications
Parking fines are set at $15.00.
Parking tickets may be appealed within 10 days of the date that the ticket was issued. If your appeal is denied and you wish to further appeal the ticket, you may do so through the court system. You must file the appeal within 10 days of receiving the ticket. Appeal forms can be obtained at the Fort Dodge Treasurer's Office, the Fort Dodge Police Department, or by clicking here.
Parking Ticket Types Explained
Snow Routes
For more information on snow routes, click the image below or visit the Public Works page.


*****
For questions and for all other employment opportunities, please contact the Human Resources Department, 2nd Floor of the Municipal Building, 819 1st Avenue South, Fort Dodge, Iowa; call 515-576-6869; or click here.
*****
The City of Fort Dodge, Iowa Civil Service Commission gives entrance examinations typically three times a year to applicants. Candidates who are not currently Iowa certified law enforcement officers will take a physical agility test. For those passing the physical agility test, a written Police Officer Selection Test (POST) will be given immediately afterwards. A POST Study Guide can be purchased here: https://www.applytoserve.com/Study/

Click here for Iowa Law Enforcement Academy frequently asked questions.
Click each topic for helpful information. For more on these or other topics, please feel free to contact us.

Media Requests
Chief Dennis Quinn serves as the Public Information Officer and acts as a liaison between the Fort Dodge Police Department and the news media. Any press-related questions or requests may be directed to him. All press releases will be distributed to the media via email and posted on our Facebook page.
Calls for Service
Daily logs of calls for service are posted routinely. Due to privacy and/or safety concerns, some information may be redacted.
Calls for Service logs can be accessed by clicking here.
Records Requests
Police reports may be requested 24/7 online using the following link: https://bit.ly/CITYFDFOIA. Requests will be reviewed during regular business hours.
There is no fee for records that take less than 30 minutes to produce. In instances where records are provided on a flash drive, disc, or other device, the cost of that device may be charged to the requesting party. Please contact us for a quote.
Basic information (date, time & location) is generally available to the public, except in circumstances where the disclosure of that information would jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
Incident Reports: Reports may be viewed or obtained in person during office hours. If an arrest has not been made, any suspect information will be redacted. Materials beyond the incident report may require a subpoena before they will be released. Most information can be made available same-day, however some requests may take up to 10 business days (but no more than 20 calendar days) to process. You may also complete this form and mail in your request.
Accident Reports: Accident reports are available to involved parties, their insurance companies, insurance agents, or attorneys. Driver exchange forms are offered free of charge at the scene of the accident and may also be obtained free of charge from our administrative office.
Arrest History: This is not the same as a criminal history. The record provided will be limited to arrests only within Webster County, Iowa that are maintained by the Fort Dodge Police Department. Traffic records are not included. Juvenile records may only be included with a signed release if they are available. Court case disposition may not be provided, and record of an arrest without disposition does not indicate guilt. It is strongly suggested that requestors contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for the most thorough history which includes court dispositions.
Click here for a complete DCI Criminal History Record Check
You may also visit www.iowacourts.state.ia.us to search court records free of charge.
Jail Records: Jail records, including mugshots, are maintained by the Webster County Jail, which is overseen by the Webster County Sheriff's Office.
Webster County Jail: 515-573-1462 • Webster County Sheriff: 515-573-1410
Dispatch Records: Call for service (dispatch) records are maintained by Webster County Telecommunications. They can be reached by calling 515-573-2323.
Fees
- There is no fee for records that take less than 30 minutes to produce. In instances where records are provided on a flash drive, disc, or other device, the real cost of that device may be charged to the requesting party.
- The lawful custodian shall make every reasonable effort to provide the public record requested at no cost other than copying costs for a record which takes less than thirty minutes to produce. Iowa Code Chapter 22.3(1)
For more information on the process for obtaining records, please call 515-573-1424 or email us.
All property and evidence acquired by the Fort Dodge Police Department undergoes meticulous inventory and oversight by our Evidence Technician, Brandi Webb.
For inquiries about secured property or evidence, including lost and found items turned over to the department, please contact Brandi directly.
To arrange for property pick-up, appointments are required.
Attention: The Fort Dodge Police Department does NOT serve trespass notices. This is the responsibility of the person completing the Trespass Authorization and Notice form. See the "Service of Paperwork" section for more information.
Fort Dodge Police Department Trespass Procedures
A property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property may authorize the Fort Dodge Police Department to enforce Iowa's trespass law on private property, by issuing a citation or making an arrest when an officer witnesses a violation. Without such an authorization the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property would be able to sign charges against an offender at a later time. However, when the police are granted enforcement authority, immediate enforcement action can be taken. In order to assist with such requests the Fort Dodge Police Department has established the following procedures.
Please note that in cases of rented or leased residential property, the person renting or leasing the property has the sole authority to determine who is a guest at the premises (unless other restrictions such as those that are mutually agreed upon in a rental or lease agreement apply). A property owner or owner's agent can issue a no trespass notice regarding common areas of the building and exterior spaces, but not for inside the rented or leased area. Likewise, a renter or lessee cannot control who is on/in the common areas of the property. The Fort Dodge Police Department recommends consulting with a private attorney for questions or concerns about landlord-tenant issues.
Types of Trespass Authorization
The Fort Dodge Police Department classifies trespass authorization into two types, general and individual. Either type of authorization can be applied to any type of property.
General Authorization
A general authorization is used when the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property desires a ban against any person on/in the property without consent or lawful purpose.
Individual Authorization
An individual authorization is used when the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property desires a ban against a known and specifically named person on/in the property without consent or lawful purpose. The property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property can specify conditions that will or will not constitute a violation (see "No Trespassing Notice" below).
Completing the Trespass Authorization & Notice Form
Once a property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property has determined which type of trespass authorization is desired, a Fort Dodge Police Department Trespass Authorization & Notice form must be completed. This form must be properly served and submitted to the Webster County Sheriff's Office for the Police Department to have trespass enforcement authority.
The written authorization is valid for a maximum period of twelve (12) months and can be renewed annually. It is the responsibility of the person completing the authorization form to keep track of its expiration date. Authorization can be revoked at any time by providing written notice to the police department. The Fort Dodge Police Department reserves the right to reject incomplete or fraudulent trespass documents.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A TRESPASS AUTHORIZATION & NOTICE FORM
Below is a step-by-step guide to completing the Trespass Authorization & Notice Form.
Person Completing This Form
In the first section, the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property enters their name, full address, phone number(s), and indicates their relationship to the property.
Property Where Trespassing Is Prohibited
If the property of the trespass ban is a business, the name should be entered on the "Business Name" line; if it is not a business this space should be left blank. The next line should contain a street address of the property. All forms must include the street address to be valid and enforceable. The person completing the form then checks a box to indicate the type of property the listed address refers to.
Authorization Type
Select the authorization type desired, general or individual. Only one box should be checked.
If a general ban is desired, check the "General" box and proceed to the "Disclaimer and Signature of Person Completing This Form" section below.
If an individual ban is desired, check the "Individual" box and enter the identifying information of the person to be banned, including their name, date of birth, and complete address. If you need help properly identifying someone, please contact the police department at 515-573-1424 for assistance.
By law, a person to be banned must be notified before enforcement action can take place (see "Service of Paperwork", below, for additional information). PLEASE NOTE: The person submitting trespass documentation to the Police Department is responsible for serving the paperwork on the person to be banned by one of the methods listed below. The Fort Dodge Police Department will not serve paperwork on the person to be banned.
The person completing the form must indicate how the banned person was served. Check all that apply.
- For a new ban: if a copy of the Fort Dodge Police Department Trespass Authorization & Notice form was served on the person, indicate if that was done in person, by certified mail, and/or by law enforcement.
- For a new ban: if a copy of a different notice was served on the person (see "No Trespassing Notice" below for additional information), indicate if that was done in person, by certified mail, and/or by law enforcement. If a different notice was used, a copy of that notice must be provided to the police department with the Trespass Authorization Form & Notice.
- For a renewal of authorization only (when a notice was previously served on the banned person and a copy has already been provided to the police department): check the "authorization renewal only" box.
Notice To Individual Named (If Applicable)
In cases of an individual ban, this section provides the necessary language to notify the person to be banned that they are no longer welcome on/in the listed property and they may face criminal charges for violations. The notice to the banned person remains in effect for one year unless revoked in writing.
The person completing the Trespass Authorization & Notice form may choose to use their own notice. See "No Trespassing Notice", below, for additional information.
Disclaimer and Signature of Person Completing This Form
This section contains the legal language necessary to authorize the Fort Dodge Police Department to act on behalf of the person completing the form.
Important points of this section include:
- The person completing the form will cooperate with any prosecution resulting.
- The authorization expires after twelve (12) months but may be revoked in writing prior to that time.
- The person completing the form is responsible for renewing authorization if necessary.
- The person signing the form has the legal authority to do so.
- The property has been posted "No Trespassing" (for general bans) or the banned person has been properly served (for individual bans).
- The person completing the form must then sign and date it. For forms submitted electronically, typing a name on the signature line substitutes for an ink signature. Forms are not valid unless signed and dated.
No Trespassing Notice
In cases of an individual ban (this section does not apply to a general ban. If this is a general ban, proceed to "Submission of Forms", below) the person to be banned must be properly served and notified before enforcement action can take place. As noted above, the Fort Dodge Police Department Trespass Authorization & Notice form contains the necessary language to notify the person to be banned that they are no longer welcome on/in the listed property and they may face criminal charges for violations. Thus, service of the FDPD Trespass Authorization & Notice form on the person to be banned satisfies legal requirements and a separate notice is not required.
However, a property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property may wish to use their own no trespassing notice in place of the language on the Authorization & Notice form; doing so allows for greater flexibility, including establishing specific terms or conditions that constitute a violation or establishing an expiration date of the notice. Any notice should warn the person to be banned that they are no longer allowed in/on the listed property and that they will be charged with trespassing upon their return.
If a different no trespassing notice is used, a copy must be provided to the police department with the completed Trespass Authorization & Notice form. PLEASE NOTE that a different notice does not substitute for the trespass authorization form; both must be submitted for the police department to take enforcement action.
THE PERSON SUBMITTING TRESPASS DOCUMENTATION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVING THE PAPERWORK TO THE PERSON TO BE BANNED.
Service of Paperwork
For individual bans (this section does not apply to a general ban, proceed to "Submission of Forms", below) the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property may choose one of the options below to serve paperwork on the person to be banned. THE PERSON TO BE BANNED MUST BE SERVED AND RECEIVE THE NOTICE BEFORE ENFORCEMENT CAN BEGIN.
In Person
Although in person service meets the requirements of Iowa law, it is more difficult to prove in court; service by certified mail with return receipt or by law enforcement is preferred.
If in person service is used to serve a no trespassing notice to the person being banned from a property, it is preferred to have the banned person sign the form to indicate they received notification. A witness to the service or a video of the service is preferable and suggested.
Certified Mail
Certified mail can be used to serve the no trespassing notice on the person to be banned. Regular mail does not offer sufficient proof that the person received the notice.
If certified mail is used for service, the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of the property is responsible for maintaining the certified mail receipt. The Fort Dodge Police Department requests that a copy of the certified mail receipt be submitted with your trespass paperwork.
By Law Enforcement
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office (WSCO) will serve such a notice for a fee of $30 plus mileage if the address of the person to be served is within Webster County. This is a flat fee, regardless of how many attempts are needed to actually serve the person. Rates are set by the WCSO and are subject to change without notice. The per mile rate for mileage varies depending on total number of round-trip miles.
A person desiring the Webster County Sheriff’s Office to serve a no trespassing notice needs to provide the following:
- Two copies of the Trespassing Authorization & Notice form or no trespassing notice*
- Name of the person that needs to be served
- Where to serve the person
- How to serve the person (any special instructions)
- Who is having the person served
- Billing information
This information can be provided to the sheriff’s office in-person at the Webster County Law Enforcement Center, 702 1st Ave. S.
*Copies of the Trespassing Authorization & Notice form or no trespassing notice required by the Sheriff's office are in addition to the copy required to be submitted to the Fort Dodge Police Department.
Questions concerning service by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office can be directed to 515-573-1410 during the hours of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Submission of Forms
A completed Trespass Authorization & Notice form (and no trespassing notice, if a different form was used for individual bans) must be forwarded to the Fort Dodge Police Department in order for the police department to be able to act as an agent of the property owner, owner's agent, lessee, or person in lawful possession of property. Include copies of certified mail or proof of service documents with the submission.
Documents can be submitted:
- By mail to the Fort Dodge Police Department, Attn: Trespass Notice, 702 1st Ave. S., Fort Dodge, IA, 50501
- In person at the Webster County Law Enforcement Center, 702 1st Ave. S.
Note: Copies of in-person or certified mail served notices within city limits of Fort Dodge should be sent or delivered to the FDPD, and not the Sheriff's Office.
Records Maintenance
Persons submitting trespass documentation to the Fort Dodge Police Department should be aware of the following information:
Electronic Records
The Fort Dodge Police Department will maintain only electronic copies of trespass authorization forms and no trespass notices. The person completing the document(s) should maintain copies for their own records.
Expired Trespass Authorization & Notice Forms
The Fort Dodge Police Department will maintain trespass documents for one week past their expiration date. If a renewed Trespass Authorization & Notice form has not been received prior to the end of that week then the expired documentation will be deleted.
Assistance
For assistance with trespass related issues or documentation please contact us by calling 515-573-1424.

The Fort Dodge Urban Controlled Bow Hunting season for 2025-2026 will take place from September 20, 2025, to January 10, 2026. This season was approved by the Fort Dodge City Council on April 14, 2025 (Resolution 25-04-069).
Bow hunting will be allowed on approved private properties within city limits, each measuring at least 200 yards by 200 yards. Only adult hunters (18+) who have demonstrated proficiency with bow and arrow are eligible to participate.

Hunters who want to participate must:
- Complete the International Bow Hunter Safety Education Course available online at www.bowhunter-ed.com/iowa if you haven't done so previously.
- Complete an annual proficiency test through the Fort Dodge Police Department
- Return the completed application and all documents no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, August 15, 2025.
- Attend a MANDATORY informational meeting. More information will be provided upon receipt of your application.


In an effort to incentivize the Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Program, the Fort Dodge City Council has implemented a “Earn a Buck Program”. This is intended to increase harvests and help to reduce deer numbers within the Urban Deer Management Zone.
ELIGIBILITY:
- All hunters participating in the Fort Dodge Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Program are eligible for a buck incentive license/tag. To earn a buck tag, hunters must harvest three does, verified through the official process and confirmed in the IDNR system. This total can be achieved over multiple hunting seasons.
- Once a buck tag is issued, it must be used within the current hunting season and cannot be carried over to the next season. However, qualifying does can carry over to the next season and count toward obtaining a buck tag.
- Pooling, sharing, or using another hunter's verified harvest is prohibited. Hunters can only receive credit for their own harvests.
- To verify a doe, the hunter must remove 1.5” to 2” from either the left or right ear in the presence of the official verifying the harvest. If any ear part is removed before the doe has been checked, it will not count toward the hunter’s total.
It is the responsibility of the hunter to follow all state and local laws, rules, and regulations to harvest deer and ensure they are fully eligible for the buck incentive license/tag.
PROCESS:
- The Fort Dodge Police Department will maintain an "Antlerless Deer Harvest Confirmation Report" for each hunter. After a hunter has harvested three does through the verification process, the Police Department will receive confirmation from the IDNR. Once confirmed, the Police Department will notify the IDNR to issue the Buck Tag in the IDNR system for that hunter.
- The incentive buck license/tag can only be used within the Fort Dodge Urban Deer Management Zone during the following hunting season. Buck tags are valid for one full season only. Harvesting a buck must comply with all requirements of the Urban Controlled Bow Hunt program and follow all IDNR processes.