2025 Sioux City Police Department Town Hall Meeting

The Sioux City Police Department will host a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, April 8 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Sioux City Public Museum, 607 4th Street.

 This public meeting is an opportunity for the Department to discuss crime statistics, strategic planning, and partnerships. Attendees will also be able to discuss issues that they are experiencing in their neighborhood.

 “The Sioux City Police Department is a successful agency because of our ability to partner with our citizens for positive results,” said Chief Rex Mueller, Chief of Police. “When the police and citizens actively communicate and engage in important dialogues, we become much more effective at making our community safer. These town hall meetings are just one way we keep our citizens informed of our progress and give their input as to how our resources are best used.”

 The Town Hall will be streamed live on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/siouxcitypolice. 

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Events

Sioux City, Iowa – The Domestic Violence Work Group will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 6-12, 2025, by hosting several events. The public and media

This year’s NCVRW theme <Connecting Healing> recognizes that shared humanity drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins.

This annual observance challenges us to build a world where every connection built through KINSHIP — between survivors, advocates, and communities — holds the potential to heal. It asks us to ensure that resources are available to all survivors and that we show up for one another with empathy and intention

Schedule of Events

Monday, April 7th – Press Conference

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Courthouse Lobby, 620 Douglas St.

There will be speakers from the law enforcement, the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office, 3rd Judicial District, Safe Place, and Great Plains Action Society.

Tuesday, April 8th – Sioux City Police Town Hall

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Sioux City Public Museum, 607 4th St.

The Sioux City Police Department will be hosting a Town Hall to discuss the status of the department, crime statistics, and a public forum for neighborhood concerns.

Thursday, April 10th – Community Resource Fair

1:00 – 3:00  PM

Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC)

Representatives for Legal Aid, Safe Place, Neighborhood Services, Community Action Agency, SCPD, WITCC Recruitment, WITCC Counseling department, and many more.

Fatality Accident at Hwy75 & C80

On Tuesday March 11, 2025, at approximately 8:39AM, officers with the SiouX City Police Department were dispatched to an accident in the 5300 block of Hwy 75N.

Once on scene, officers located a Dodge pick-up truck that was completely flipped over on it’s top. The driver of the truck was unconscious.

The Dodge truck was pulling a trailer and was traveling southbound on Hwy 75 when a Jeep Commander pulled out in front of the Dodge truck from C-80. The Dodge truck struck the passenger side of the Jeep Commander, causing the Dodge truck to go down into the ditch on the west side of Hwy 75, and flip onto it’s top. The trailer being pulled by the Dodge truck swung around and struck a Toyota Rav 4 that was stopped at a stop sign on C-80, facing east.

The driver of the Dodge truck died at the scene of the accident. The driver of the Jeep Commander was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop/Yield Sign.

Iowa State Patrol, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Hinton Police Department, Hinton Fire and EMS, Merrill Police Department, and Sioux City Fire and Rescue All responded to the scene of the accident. Hwy 75 South was shut down for approximately three hours while law enforcement conducted an investigation.

At This time, the name of the deceased is not being released.

OIS on February 22, 2025

Released on Feb. 22, 2025 at 6:30 a.m. - On Saturday February 22, 2023, at approximately 3:38 AM officers with the Sioux City Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle near 18th and Grandview Blvd. During the stop, officers learned an occupant of the vehicle was wanted for felony criminal warrants. As officers attempted to take the wanted individual into custody, the suspect resisted arrest, and an officer discharged their firearm. Officers immediately initiated lifesaving measures to care for the injured suspect, who was later transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect’s condition is not currently available.

The Sioux City Police Department contacted the Iowa DCI to investigate the incident. The Iowa State Patrol also assisted in the investigation. Per department policy, involved officers were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Further information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

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Fatality Accident on Feb. 7, 2025 - 25SC03446

Released Feb. 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. - On Feb. 7, 2025 at approximately 9:45 p.m., the Sioux City Police Department and Sioux City Fire & Rescue respond to the 3200 block of Transit Ave. for a report of a vehicle striking a utility police and catching fire.

Based on the preliminary investigation, a 1999 Chevy Blazer was traveling east bound on Transit Ave. at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control and struck a utility pole in the 3200 block. On impact, the vehicle caught fire and was fully engulfed when first responders arrived.

The vehicle was being operated by an adult male from Sioux City. He was the only occupant and was deceased on scene.

The name of the victim is not being released at this time and the incident remains under investigation.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident January 11, 2025

Released January 12, 2025 at 10:00 pm - On Jan. 11, the Sioux City Police Department and several area law enforcement agencies responded to a rollover accident on Highway 20 eastbound near mile marker 1.

Based on the preliminary investigation, a 2004 Jeep Cherokee was traveling eastbound on Hwy 20 when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled over several times down the embankment.

The driver was a 19-year-old man from South Sioux City, Neb. and was critically injured in the accident.

He was transported to a local hospital and later died of his injures.

The name of the deceased is not being released at this time pending notification of his family.

This incident remains under investigation.

OIS on October 20, 2024 in the 2500 block of 1st Street

On October 20th, 2024, at approximately 7:22 pm an adult female contacted 911 dispatchers, indicating that she had been approached by a male party the 2600 block of Correctionville Road. The male had loaded a pistol and displayed it in a threatening manner before leaving towards Correctionville Road.

Officers were dispatched to the area and located a male party matching the description walking near Leech Avenue and South Fairmont Street. When confronted by officers, the suspect began walking away and pulled a firearm from his pocket. After being ordered to stop and to drop the gun, the suspect ran from officers. During the foot pursuit, the suspect shot at officers.  An officer returned fire. The suspect continued to flee towards the Greenville area where officers lost sight of him.

Additional law enforcement officers from the Sioux City Police Department and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area. A perimeter was established to limit the suspect’s movement. SCPD public information officers put out messages on social media and worked with local media outlets to request Greenville area residents shelter in place until the event could be resolved.

 An incident command post was established and the SCPD SWAT Team was mobilized to begin a search of the area for the suspect. Based on information obtained during the investigation, officers searched 2519 East 1st Street. The suspect was located hiding in a crawl space on the second floor of the house. The suspect refused multiple commands to surrender. SWAT officers fired upon the suspect when he appeared to be reaching for his weapon.

Once the suspect was subdued, officers immediately began lifesaving measures. The 42-year-old suspect was transported to MercyOne Medical Center with a life-threatening injury. At the time of this release, the suspect was in critical condition. No officers were injured by gunfire during this incident.

The Sioux City Police Department contacted the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation to investigate the incident. Per department policy, involved officers will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Charges are pending on the suspect.

 At this time, his name is not being released.

UPDATE Oct. 20, 2024 - The individual involved in the officer involved shooting is Jamie Orozco of Sioux City. Following the incident Orozco was transported to Mercy One for initial care, and then transported to Omaha Nebraska for advanced medical treatment. He is currently in critical condition. The incident began on Sunday, October 20th when Orozco was being sought in relation to a citizen who had been threatened with a firearm. When officers located Orozco, he produced a handgun, fled on foot, and fired at officers. He was later located by SWAT officers hiding in a residence on 1st Street where an officer involved shooting occurred. The incident continues to be under investigation by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and the Sioux City Police Department.

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CALEA portal for public input created

The Sioux City Police Department wishes to announce the addition of a new resource on their website.  The Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, CALEA, has launched a public comment web portal.  The SCPD has built a link to this site on the SCPD website under the Resources Tab called CALEA Portal.

CALEA maintains an access portal which allows for public comment and feedback.  Access is provided as an opportunity for comments, commendations, and other information regarding the SCPD’s quality of service or other information relevant to the department’s accreditation process.  This comment portal replaces the need for CALEA to hold public hearings every 4 years.  CALEA can now receive public comments about the SCPD year-round instead of just on one day, quadrennially.

These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the Sioux City Police Department with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence.

CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Citizens wishing to file formal complaints against an officer should contact the Sioux City Police Department’s Professional Standards section at 712-279-6356.

There will be no response other than acknowledgement to submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA Accreditation of the SCPD.  

The Sioux City Police Department has been continuously accredited by CALEA since 1995 and was re-accredited in July 2022 for the 9th time.

The CALEA public portal can be found at www.siouxcitypolice.com/calea-portal

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2022 Town Hall Meeting Held

We held our annual Town Hall Meeting for 2022 on Monday Oct. 24 at the Sioux City Public Museum.

We discussed the Strategic Plan for the City and the department, the Downtown Partners Crime Prevention Initiative, and the Neighborhood Network.

You can watch the recorded live stream at https://fb.watch/gm_aEKdfPQ/

Give us your thoughts at www.siouxcitypolice.com/town-hall

And you can download a copy of the slide and handouts by clicking the button below.

Public help needed in locating missing woman - 22SC27903

The Sioux City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 36-year-old Brenda Payer of Sioux City.

Her family reported that they last had contact with her on Thursday September 29 when she parked her van in the McDonalds parking lot in the 700 block of Hamilton Blvd. Since then, her friends and family have been unable to contact her.

Payer is a native American woman with black hair and brown eyes, she is 5 foot 8 inches tall, and weighs 170 pounds.

We do not suspect foul play but are concerned for her mental health as she may be in crisis. We would like to locate her to ensure she is safe.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to contact the department at 279-6960. We are also encouraging Brenda to contact us to let us know if she needs assistance.

Shots fired call leads to pursuit - SCPD 22SC27393 & 22SC27394

On September 27 at 3:58 am, the Sioux City Police Department received a report of several shots being fired in the area of the 5000 block of Lorraine Ave.

Officers responding to the incident located a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting. When officers attempted to stop the car, the driver failed to yield and tried to elude officers.

Officers pursued the car and during the chase, a passenger got out and fled on foot in Sgt. Bluff. He was not apprehended and is described as a Hispanic male in his late teens or early twenties wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black shorts.

The pursuit ended in Sgt. Bluff and the driver was taken into custody. Ammunition for a handgun was located in the vehicle.

Officers charged 19-year-old Jordan J. Hills of Sioux City with serious eluding. Hills also had warrants for his arrest on charges of probation violation pcs with intent to deliver, simple assault, and 3rd degree harassment.

The investigation into the shooting located a house that was struck by gunfire in the area. The occupant of the house that was struck provided limited cooperation with officers. It is believed that the occupant and the person suspected of firing at the house are known to each other. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

This is an on-going investigation and anyone with information on who the subject was that ran from officers on foot are encouraged to call the department at 279-6960.

The Sioux City Police Department was assisted by the Sgt. Bluff Police Department and the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office. 

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Teen stabbed by unknown man during altercation - 22SC27238

On Saturday September 24 at about 6:18 pm, the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1300 block of Jackson St.

Responding officers located a 17-year-old male suffering from a severe laceration to his neck. He was transported to MercyOne for treatment of his life-threatening injury.

Witnesses stated that the victim and a friend had been in front of a residence in the 1300 block of Jackson St. when a person not known to them, approached them, and started a confrontation. The unknown person pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim after the exchange became physical. It is not known why the man provoked a fight with the teens.

The suspect then fled the area and has not been located or identified.

Detectives are looking for a white male that is in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He is 5 foot 5 inches tall and has a slight build with his weight estimated to be about 120 pounds. He has light brown or dirty blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a flat billed baseball hat, baggy khaki shorts, and a “jersey” style t-shirt that was light blue and the sleeves were a different color that button or zipped up the front.

Anyone with information who this subject is or video footage of the area that may help identify the man is asked to call the Sioux City Police Department at 279-6440. 

Man suffers stab wound during robbery attempt - SCPD 22SC27238

On September 25 at about 1:56 pm, Sioux City Police Officers were sent to the area of 7th & Courts St in Sioux City for a report of a man bleeding.

Officers located an adult-male that was suffering from a severe but non-life-threatening laceration to his head. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The investigation determined that the victim had gone to a residence in the 1100 block of 7th St. to speak with someone that lived there. When the victim left the house, Hamilton Veliz-Cantor who been staying at the residence, began following him.

Veliz-Cantor, who was armed with a kitchen knife, confronted the victim, demanded money, and then cut the victim with the knife after he said he did not have any money.

Officers located Veliz-Cantor at his residence and took him into custody.

Detectives have charged 24-year-old Hamilton Veliz-Cantor with going armed with intent, 1st degree robbery, and willful injury.

They are also working with the Department of Homeland Security as Veliz-Cantor has previously been deported at least once and illegally returned to the country.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

SCPD investigates post on social media that caused school lock-outs

On September 23 at around 8:30 am, students at West High School in Sioux City notified school administration and the Sioux City Police Department of a concerning post on social media showing ammunition and a message that seemed like a veiled threat.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Sioux City Community School District implemented security measures to ensure the safety of students.

Officers worked closely with the school to keep students safe and fully investigate the matter.

The student who made the post was identified and located. The juvenile-male is being questioned on the matter.

As the post was not a direct threat, the department is referring this incident to the County Attorney’s Office for consideration for charges.

Students that reported the post are to be commended for reporting a concerning post that indicated a possible threat to safety.

We also encourage parents to speak to their children about posting messages and images to social media that may cause alarm.

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Man arrested for August 29 shooting - SC#22-24458

The Sioux City Police Department has arrested a man in connection to a ”shots fired” report that occurred on August 29th in the 1000 block of Pierce Street.

Officers have charged 44-year-old Rico M. Willis of Sioux City with going armed with intent, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a controlled substance, and keeping a disorderly house.

The charges stem from the Aug. 29th incident when Willis followed an adult-male that he knew back to his apartment building. Willis confronted the man, pointed a handgun at him, and pulled the trigger. The gun failed to fire and Willis reloaded the firearm and then struck the victim with it. When Willis struck the man, the gun discharged.

No one was injured by the gunfire and no property was damaged.

Initially, this matter was investigated as a possible “road rage” incident but information was learned that determined that this was a dispute over a love interest between the two men.

On Sept. 9, officers served a search warrant on Willis’s residence a part of their investigation into this matter. During the search, officers located the firearm used as well as marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Willis is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possession firearms.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed

Speed violations and accident trend down after cameras installed

Since the placement of speed photo enforcement cameras on Hamilton Blvd. and Floyd Blvd., the Sioux City Police Department has seen a decrease in speed violations and accidents reported near the cameras.

Speed camera in the 3300 block of Hamilton Blvd.

The cameras were stationed in the 3300 block of Hamilton Blvd. and the 3000 block of Floyd Blvd. in May of 2022 but due to a technical issue, violations were not issued until July. However, monitoring of traffic data was available during that time.

When the camera on Hamilton Blvd. was put in place in May, 1.9% of cars passing it were over 10 mph of the posted speed limit. By the end of July, only 1.06% cars passing were in violation.

Accident data indicates a downward trend as well. Between Jan. 1, 2018, to June 10, 2022, between Stone Park Blvd and 36th St. on Hamilton there were approximately 2.26 accidents a month. For July and August 2022, that rate drop to approximately 1.5 accidents a month.

On Floyd Blvd between 28th St. and Outer Dr. for the same time periods, the accident rate dropped from .8 accidents a month to 0 reported accidents.

The technical issues with the cameras were corrected around July 12 and violations were issued starting at that time. Between that date and August 31, there were 970 violations approved by officers overseeing the program.

As more time passes, more accurate accident data will be generated but initial indications are that the cameras are slowing traffic down and reducing accidents.

Teenager struck while skateboarding in roadway - SCPD #22-24759

On September 1 at 4:48 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a skateboarder being struck by a vehicle in the Northbound lane at 2400 S. Lewis Blvd.

A teenaged-male was struck and was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and has since passed away due to his injuries.

Initial information gathered was that the juvenile was riding a skateboard in the middle of the road and the driver was unable to avoid a collision due to the lack of time from observation of seeing the juvenile combined with the darkness of the roadway at that time of day.

SCPD Traffic Investigators were called out to the scene. This investigation is still on-going.

Original release Sept. 1 with an update on Sept. 6.

HSI, Sioux City police department investigation results in 30-year sentence for child predator

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A Salvadoran man who sexually assaulted a child was sentenced July 28 to 30 years in federal prison following a joint Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Sioux City Police investigation. Juan Pablo Hernandez, 44, originally from El Salvador but living in Sioux City, received the prison term after a March 10 guilty plea for aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

“I struggle to find something more important than protecting the children in our community,” said Katherine Greer, special agent in charge of HSI Kansas City. “I am extremely proud of the work by the agents and officers from both HSI and the Sioux City Police Department. Through our strong partnership we are to bring justice to victims and remove dangerous individuals, like this, looking to harm children from our streets.”

At the plea hearing, Hernandez admitted to driving from South Sioux City, Nebraska to Sioux City with a minor under the age of 12 to sexually assault the minor. Hernandez took sexually explicit photographs of the minor.

Hernandez was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Hernandez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and HSI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 21-4093.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat child exploitation in your community, on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.

Homeland Security Investigations

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 86 overseas locations in 55 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Released August 3, 2022

Source: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-sioux-city-police-department-investigation-results-30-year-sentence-child

SCPD receives 9th accreditation with CALEA

Administration with the Sioux City Police Department traveled to Chicago Illinois this past weekend to seek continued accreditation through the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. CALEA® Accreditation serves as the International Gold Standard for Public Safety Agencies. And establishes that the SCPD as an agency that seeks the highest level of law enforcement standards and practices.

The process of CALEA Accreditation begins with a rigorous self-assessment, requiring a review of policies, practices, and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards. This is followed with an assessment by independent assessors with significant public safety experience. Additionally, public feedback is received to promote community trust and engagement, and structured interviews are conducted with select agency personnel and others with knowledge to assess the agency’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capacities. The decision to accredit is rendered by a governing body of twenty-one Commissioners following a public hearing and review of all reporting documentation.

During the public hearing in Chicago, the SCPD was awarded their 9th accreditation with CALEA. This award remains in effect for four years and the agency retains all privileges associated with this status during that period.

CALEA Accreditation is a continuous process and serves as the foundation for a successful, well managed, transparent, community-focused public safety agency. To this end, an agency must maintain its accredited status by always remaining in compliance with CALEA standards.

CALEA congratulated the Sioux City Police Department for demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence through accreditation. The CALEA Accreditation indices are the Marks of Professional Excellence. The Sioux City Police Department is proud to stand among the Sioux City Fire Department, Sioux City Fire EMS Division, and the Woodbury County Communications Center as another accredited entity that continues to serve our community with honor and dedication. The fact that accreditation is embraced by all these public safety entities is proof of our commitment to providing the highest level of professional public service to our citizens.

Exotic snakes removed from home.

Officers with the Sioux City Police Department assisted Sioux City Animal Control in the execution of a search warrant to remove numerous exotic snakes and feeder mice that were being raised in a Sioux City home on July 11 shortly after 10 pm.

Officers were called to a home in the 4600 block of Harrison St. after a neighbor complained of finding a boa constrictor and feeder mice in his house.

Animal Control removed the animals and are caring for them at the Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue Center.

The home-owner was not at home at the time of the removal.

The matter has been referred to the City of Sioux City Legal Department for consideration of appropriate charges.

This is an on-going investigation.