Criminal Investigations

The Criminal Investigations Unit of the Oskaloosa Police Department is comprised of one supervising lieutenant, one property crimes investigator who also serves as the department's evidence officer, and a drug task force officer. The Unit is responsible for crimes against persons and property which require more time to investigate than patrol officers generally have while dealing with their regular duties.

Investigators conduct follow-up investigations into the more serious crimes that occur in Oskaloosa. Theft, burglary, forgery, computer crimes and assault are the most frequently reported offenses.

Detectives regularly work with investigators from other local, state, and federal agencies on crimes that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Detectives receive specialized training in areas such as crime scene processing, evidence analysis, and photography to aid them in their duties.

The Drug Task Force Officer, in conjunction with a deputy from the Mahaska County Sheriff's Office, works most drug cases for the department. This team of drug investigators work together on drug cases within all of Mahaska County. The Drug Task Force also assists other Agency's from time to time with illegal drug investigations.

The Financial Crimes Unit is part of the department's Investigation Division.

Insufficient Fund/Account Closed Check Policy

The policy of the Oskaloosa Police Department is to accept insufficient fund checks or account closed checks for criminal investigation as follows:

1.  The amount of the check must be in excess of $200.

2. The check must have been written in the City of Oskaloosa. It must have been written within the past 60 days. It cannot be a government check, two-party check, or a check for which a stop payment has been issued. The only exception to these requirements would be if the prosecuting attorney deems it a criminal theft rather than a civil action.  It must have been written personally by the owner of the check.

3. The merchant or person who accepted the check must have checked the identification of the individual who was authoring the check and have documented that it is in fact the owner of the check by recording the driver's license number, and date of birth on the back of the check.

The only exception would be if the person accepting the check has personal knowledge of the author. This should be indicated on the check and the person accepting the check must initial it.

4. The person who accepted the check must have also marked the check in some manner so as to identify that they in fact accepted this check and be available to testify in court to that process.

5. In accordance with Iowa Code 714.1(6), the check must have been submitted to the bank twice and marked "NSF" as such. The merchant or the person who accepted the check, upon return of the check for the second time, must then send a ten-day letter of payment demand by certified mail, restricted delivery, or deliver the letter of demand by personal service. Documentation of this procedure must be included with the original check.

It should be emphasized that the Oskaloosa Police Department will investigate all forgeries no matter what amount the check is written for.

In addition to insufficient funds, account closed, and forged checks, unit members are responsible for investigating identification thefts, embezzlements, credit card theft, and computer frauds.

If you have questions or comments, call Lt. Troy Boston, or Officer Charlie Valentine at (641) 673-3201 or the Administration Division (641) 672-2559 ; or e-mail us at:

barnard@mahaskacounty.org or mcgee@mahaskacounty.org