District 1 is located in Des Moines and was established in 1939. It serves six counties: Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, and Story within central Iowa. Interstate 35 and Interstate 80, the two busiest interstates in Iowa intersect in District 1, which keeps the troopers busy preserving lives, rights, and property through courtesy, service and protection for the citizens of Iowa and its visitors.
The District 1 office is currently located at the intersection of Interstate 35/Interstate 80 and Second Avenue on the north side of Des Moines. The district office has previously been housed in the basement of the Capitol Building, State Fairgrounds, Armand Building, and a converted house located on the Capitol grounds south of the Lucas Building.
In June 2000, a large addition to the current building was completed and now houses Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents. At its highest staffing, District 1 was staffed with one lieutenant, five sergeants, 43 troopers, and two secretaries.
District 1 troopers have responded to both natural and man-made disasters over the years. Some of the most notable are the flood of 1993, a tornado that struck Ankeny, train wrecks in Altoona and Boone, and an airplane crash which killed Rocky Marciano near Newton.
District 1 hosted the National Governors' Conference, responded to labor disputes in Marshalltown, Des Moines, and West Des Moines, VEISHA riots in Ames, and have assisted with dignitary protection for several presidents, vice presidents, political candidates, and Pope John Paul II.
The troopers of District 1 provide law enforcement services to a variety of different venues such as the Iowa State Fair, Iowa State University football games, races at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, and the Farm Progress Show in Boone. Support is also provided to the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and numerous Honor Guard/Color Guard details.