The Mar-Mac Police District is a shared law enforcement agency serving more than one community under a formal intergovernmental agreement. Unlike a traditional municipal police department that is part of a single city government, the District provides police services across participating jurisdictions through one unified structure.
This District model allows communities to:
- Share costs and resources
- Provide consistent service standards across participating cities
- Improve coordination and coverage without duplicating administration or equipment
How the District differs from a municipal police department?
A typical city police department:
- Is a department within one city government
- Is overseen through that city’s administrative structure (city council/city administrator)
- Generally, serves only that city’s corporate limits unless otherwise authorized
The Mar-Mac Police District:
- Serves multiple municipalities under a shared structure
- Operates as a unified agency rather than separate city departments
- Provides consistent operations, policies, and response expectations across participating communities
A municipal police department belongs to one city. The District is a single agency built to serve more than one city.
How the District differs from the Sheriff’s Office?
The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office is a county-level law enforcement agency with responsibilities that generally include:
- Primary law enforcement services in unincorporated areas of the county (outside city limits)
- Operation of the county jail
- Court security and transport functions
- Service of certain civil and court-related papers as required by law
The Mar-Mac Police District primarily focuses on:
- Day-to-day patrol and the primary law enforcement services within the participating municipalities
- Traffic enforcement, calls for service, investigations, and community policing within District jurisdictions
- Working with county, state, and federal partners when cases cross jurisdictions
The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for countywide functions (including the jail and courts) and primary service outside city limits. The District provides municipal-level policing services primary within the participating cities.
Working together
Residents will often see District officers and sheriff’s deputies assisting one another. Public safety depends on cooperation, and agencies routinely support each other through mutual aid, joint investigations, and coordinated response, especially for major incidents and emergencies.
When to call the Mar-Mac Police District vs. the Sheriff’s Office?
If you are inside the corporate limits of Marquette or McGregor, the Mar-Mac Police District is the primary agency for:
- Emergencies (life safety, crimes in progress)
- Disturbances, suspicious activity, welfare checks
- Traffic crashes and hazardous roadway issues within city limits
- Criminal investigations originating in the cities
If you are outside city limits (unincorporated Clayton County), the Sheriff’s Office is the primary agency for:
- Emergencies and calls for service in rural/unincorporated areas
- Countywide functions involving the jail, courts, or transport
If you are unsure who has jurisdiction, call 911 (emergency) or the non-emergency dispatch number, dispatch will route the call appropriately.
Does the District replace the Sheriff’s Office?
No. The District and the Sheriff’s Office serve different functions. The Sheriff retains county responsibilities such as jail operations, court security, and service in unincorporated areas. The District provides municipal-level police services within the participating cities.
Why does the District exist?
The District model allows participating communities to provide effective police services while sharing resources and administration and maintaining consistent service standards across the cities.
Will I still see county deputies in town?
Yes. At times, particularly when traveling through the area or when requested by the District to assist with major incidents, countywide operations, or mutual-aid responses.
Who is responsible for law enforcement inside Marquette and McGregor?
The Mar-Mac Police District is the primary law enforcement agency for incidents occurring within the corporate limits of Marquette and McGregor.
Who is responsible outside city limits?
The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for incidents occurring in unincorporated areas of Clayton County.
What if an incident crosses city limits?
Agencies coordinate regularly. When an incident begins in one jurisdiction and continues into another, the Mar-Mac Police District and the Sheriff’s Office work together to ensure a continuous and appropriate response.
Can District officers enforce laws outside the cities?
Yes. Under Iowa law and established mutual-aid practices, District officers may act outside city limits, such as during mutual aid, fresh pursuit, joint operations, or when requested by another agency.
Can sheriff’s deputies handle calls inside the cities?
Yes. Deputies may assist within the cities when requested by the District, during major incidents, or when encountering an urgent situation while in the area.
If I call 911, do I need to know which agency has jurisdiction?
No. Call 911 for emergencies or the non-emergency number for routine issues. Dispatch will route the call to the appropriate agency based on location.
Why does jurisdiction matter?
Jurisdiction helps ensure that:
- The correct agency responds
- Reports are handled by the proper authority
- Investigations and court filings follow proper legal process
Iowa Code
- Peace officer authority and statewide arrest powers – Iowa Code § 804.7
- Mutual aid / emergency response compact – Iowa Code § 29C.22.
- Sheriff’s general powers – Iowa Code § 331.652
- Municipal home-rule authority – Iowa Constitution, Article III, § 38A & Iowa Code Chapter 364
Iowa Case Law
- Municipal police authority and arrest powers – State v. Snider, 547 N.W.2d 815 (Iowa 1994)
- Jurisdictional responsibility – State v. Allen, 569 N.W.2d 143 (Iowa 1997).
