Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

How do I compliment an officer?

Go to the Joplin Police Department website at www.joplinpolice.org and click on Contact JPD - Compliment an Officer. Your comments will go directly to Lane Roberts, Chief of Police. You can also come to the front desk of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to midnight) or call 623-3131 where your compliment will be sent directly to the officer's supervisor.

How do I file a complaint?

Go to the Joplin Police Department website at www.joplinpolice.org and click on Contact JPD - Complaint Against Officer where the complaint process is explained in a brochure and a form is available for online completion. You can also come to the front desk of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to midnight) to fill out a complaint form in person.

How do I obtain a local background check?

Local background checks are the only background checks performed at Joplin Police Department. If you are needing a county background check, Missouri counties that are registered can be accessed at www.case.net. The Joplin Police Department does not perform county or state background checks. A local background check costs $3.50 and can be requested at the police department's records division at 303 E. 3rd Street Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. An ID is required. Cash or check only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

How do I get a police report?

Incident reports can be requested at police records, 303 E. 3rd Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. They are ten cents per page. Cash or check only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. All other report inquiries can be made at police records and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

How do I get an accident report?

Accident reports can be requested at police records, 303 E. 3rd Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. They are ten cents per page. Cash or check only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

How soon can I get my accident report?

Generally, an accident report is ready two days after the accident has occurred. Sometimes this process may be delayed due to the seriousness of the accident.

How do I get an abandoned property tow form?

Abandoned property tow forms can be requested at the records divison of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street or can be mailed directly to you. Call 623-3131 ext.432 to request a mailed copy.

How do I get my property/evidence back?

Come to the records division of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street and fill out and turn in a property and evidence release form. The form will then be sent to the assigned police officer or detective who will sign off on it then call you to schedule an appointment to pick up your property/evidence. Our evidence technician works Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00, so it will be during those days and hours that your appointment will be made. Property/evidence cannot be released on weekends.

How do I obtain a liquor license? Taxi license? Security license?

All three of these can be obtained at the records division of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. There is no cost for a liquor license. For taxi and security licenses, proof of employment is required and a fingerprinting cost of $50 is required. After the fingerprint results are obtained, there is another $50 per year charge to maintain the license. Cash or check only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

How do I report graffiti?

The graffiti abatement program ensures quick removal of graffiti by Joplin Police Department. You need to contact Sergeant Chad Allison at 623-3131 ext. 601 to report graffiti. A member of the RAPID Team will then contact you and ask that you sign a permission waiver form before we remove the graffiti at no cost to you.

How do I report a crime?

You can report a crime through the police department's website, our telephone reporting officer, or the front desk. On the website, click on Contact JPD - Report a Crime. This will take you to our online reporting system where you can leave a contact name and number or remain anonymous. If you leave a name and number, a police officer will contact you for follow-up. The online report form does not serve as an official police report. An actual report can be filed when the officer contacts you if that is what needs to be done. Do not use the online report form for crimes in progress. If you would rather contact our telephone reporting officer to make a report over the phone, call 623-3131. To report a crime in person, come to the front desk of the police department where an officer will be dispatched to you. Take note that this will require some wait time on your part, depending on how soon an officer can get to you.

What happens after my report is filed?

A report must first be completed by a patrol officer. The report is then approved by a patrol supervisor and assigned to an investigator. This process could take a couple of days. However, if it is a serious felony case, such as a violent crime, a follow-up by a detective will be made sooner. All other cases, such as property crimes, are assigned and will be followed-up depending on the solvability of the case. Factors that influence the solvability of a case are suspect information, physical evidence, etc.

What is a telephone report?

A telephone report of a past-tense crime where there is no evidence to collect can be made to the police department at 623-3131 where your name and phone number will be taken. A telephone reporting officer will call you back that same day or the following Monday if it is a weekend. If your crime is an emergency or an in-progress crime, call 911.

When are 911 calls appropriate?

For any in-progress crime, serious accident, emergency, or medical emergency, call 911. For other past-tense crimes, minor accidents, or non-emergencies, call the police department's non-emergency line at 623-3131. Do not call 911 to ask for directions, complain about an officer, inquire about the status of a case, ask for an officer, or any other non-emergency issue. These calls should be made to 623-3131.

What do I do if I am in an accident?

If you are in a non-injury accident with minimal damage, pull off the roadway and call the police department at 623-3131. While you are waiting for an officer to arrive, if other drivers are involved, exchange information with them. Have your insurance card and driver's license available for the officer. If you are in an injury accident, call 911 immediately and wait for officers to arrive.

Who do I contact to get information on starting a Neighborhood Watch Program?

Contact Sgt. Chad Allison at 623-3131 ext. 601.

I am moving to Joplin. Can I obtain crime statistics for a particular neighborhood?

On our website's menu, Crime Reports which is found under Reports & Statistics, will give you crime information on all areas of Joplin. You can search by crime type, date, and/or location. Also, for general inquiries on specific neighborhoods or areas of Joplin, you can contact the department's crime analyst Rachele' Davis at 623-3131 ext. 413.

Where is the courthouse located?

The courthouse is at the corner of 6th and Pearl, 602 S. Pearl.

How do I get someone out of jail?

You can either go through a bondsman or pay the bond directly to the jail, which can be paid at the police department. The jail accepts cash only.

What are the jail visiting hours?

Jail visiting hours are held every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and are operated on a first come, first serve basis.

What can I bring/not bring to my relative or friend in jail?

Acceptable items include three pairs of white socks, three white t-shirts (with sleeves), three pairs of white underwear, three white bras (no underwire), stamps, envelopes, and paperback books with no staples. Hardback books are not acceptable. Any medication must have the inmate's name on it.