The Oelwein Police Department is a civil service police agency established to protect and serve the citizens of Oelwein, Iowa, in 1903. The Oelwein Communications Center receives calls for service from the public and other law enforcement and emergency services via the Emergency 911 telephone, business telephone, teletype, and/or by radio.

Officers provide general law enforcement activity such as criminal investigations, traffic safety education and enforcement, and crime prevention patrol as well as specialized areas of law enforcement.

D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is presented by a uniformed Oelwein Police Officer.

R.A.I.D. (Rural Area Interdiction Detail) is a drug enforcement task force which the Oelwein Police Department is an active part of.

The Oelwein Police keep the peace, investigate and enforce local, state and federal laws; and work with the citizens of Oelwein to keep the community safe and violence free.