Officer Use of Force

The Polk County Attorney has the authority and responsibility to make criminal charging decisions in the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers. The County Attorney has neither administrative authority, nor control, over the personnel of any law enforcement agency in Polk County. 

When an officer kills a person in Polk County, the Office will follow a specific protocol to investigate and review the circumstances. A copy of the protocol can be found here. 

If criminal charges are not filed, a decision letter describing the factual findings and the legal conclusions is sent to the Police Chief of the involved jurisdiction. Copies of the decision letters are found below:

2023

Jan. 26: Des Moines shooting of Trevontay Jenkins, Dec. 26, 2022

Sept. 6: Pleasant Hill shooting of Bradley Van Heeswyk, Aug. 12

2024

Sept. 23: Des Moines shooting of Weston Derby, July 30

Oct. 21: Des Moines shooting of Joshua Green, Sept. 16

2025

Jan. 2: Des Moines shooting of Charles Leonard, Nov. 26, 2024

Feb. 13: Des Moines shooting of Charquan Hargrove, Jan. 2, 2025

Jan. 25: Des Moines shooting of Brandon Mitchell, Jan. 24, 2025

March 31: Des Moines shooting of David Kintz, Feb. 6, 2025

May 12: Des Moines shooting of Jose Daniel Rodriguez-Sanchez, March 20, 2025 (no fatality)