Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement Agency

Infobox Law enforcement agency
agencyname = Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement
commonname =
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formedyear = 1975
preceding1 = Iowa Highway Commission Traffic Weight Officers
preceding2 = Officers of the Iowa Commerce Commission
preceding3 = Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Investigators
dissolved =
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country = United States
divtype = State
divname = Iowa
speciality = vehicle
headquarters = Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Ankeny, Iowa
sworn = 130
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parentagency = Iowa Department of Transportation
vehicles1 = Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
website = [http://www.iamvd.com/omve/index.htm Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement] The Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement Agency is a law enforcement agency located in the state of Iowa. Like the Iowa State Patrol, the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Agency is a statewide agency, however unlike the Patrol it is primarily concerned with the enforcement of laws and regulations concerning commercial vehicles in the state.

The officers deal with state and Federal safety regulations, hazardous material regulations, commercial driver licensing, commercial vehicle registration, oversized vehicles, tax compliance, ensuring proper documentation is carried, and ensuring vehicles have appropriate insurance. The officers are certified law enforcement officers, and can assist with other law enforcement duties as required. [cite web
url= http://www.iamvd.com/omve/enforceduties.htm |title= Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officer Duties |accessdate= 2008-04-06|date= 2007-05-09 |publisher= Iowa Department of Transportation |language= English]

There are 130 sworn peace officers in the agency. Like many other agencies, officers drive Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. Their vehicles are painted light blue in color with a gold stripe running along the sides of the car.

History

In early 1941 highway engineers expressed concern that overweight commercial vehicles would eventually cause serious damage to Iowa's highway system. Legislation was passed, and signed in to law on April 16, 1941 that allowed the highway commission to designate certain employees as peace officers to enforce the laws concerning size and weight. The first officer entered service on July 1 of that year.

In 1975 the Iowa Department of Transportation was formed. As part of the law forming the Iowa DOT, the highway commission officers, officers of the Iowa Commerce Commission, and motor vehicle investigators from the Iowa Department of Public Safety were combined into the modern Motor Vehicle Enforcement Agency. This new department was placed under the authority of the Iowa DOT. [cite web
url= http://www.iamvd.com/omve/enforcehistory.htm |title= Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement History |accessdate= 2008-04-06|date= 2007-05-09 |publisher= Iowa Department of Transportation |language= English]

ee also

*List of law enforcement agencies in Iowa

References