FAQ

Content
  1. How do I contact the police in an emergency? 
  2. How do I contact the police for a non-emergency? 
  3. Where are you located? 
  4. How can I get copies of police reports? 
  5. How do I report a traffic crash/accident? 
  6. How do I get fingerprinted for a job? 
  7. How do I apply for a gun permit? 
  8. How do I get my property back from the Police Department? 
  9. Prisoner Property 
  10. Evidence & Other Property 
  11. Release of Firearms 
  12. Police Property Auctions 
  13. How can I find out the status of a police investigation? 
  14. How can I get information about sexual assault? 
  15. How do I report domestic violence to the police? 
  16. How do I get a personal protection order (PPO)? 
  17. How can I get information about bad checks? 
Q&A Item

How do I contact the police in an emergency? 

Call 9-1-1.  Due to the limited number of available incoming 9-1-1 telephone lines, use of this system is restricted to true emergencies.  Use of the 9-1-1 system is reserved to report a serious crime in progress, or just occurred, or a life threatening situation such as a medical emergency, fire, or car accident involving personal injury.

How do I contact the police for a non-emergency? 

You can call (248) 796-5500 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Where are you located? 

The Southfield Police Department is located on the Civic Center Campus at Civic Center and Evergreen Roads. Our mailing address is: 

Southfield Police Department 
26000 Evergreen Road P.O. Box 2055 
Southfield, MI 48037-2055 

How can I get copies of police reports? 

Copies of police incident reports may be obtained through the Police Records Bureau. Business hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Police Records Bureau is closed on Weekends and Holidays. Reports are generally available 48 to 72 hours after the incident occurred. 

In order to obtain a copy of a report, the requestor’s name must appear in the report or a notarized authorization is necessary. Certain information, governed by state and federal privacy laws, is always removed from the report, prior to copying. This may include, but is not limited to, phone numbers, witness information, suspect information (until a case is completely adjudicated), and medical data. 

Incident report copy fees are: $8 per report. Vehicle Impound Release fees are $10.  Local (Southfield) Criminal History checks are $10.

How do I report a traffic crash/accident? 

If you are involved in a traffic crash, Michigan law requires a report to be filed if the crash occurred on a public roadway and resulted in an injury or combined damage in excess of $1,000.00 It is often more convenient to report a traffic crash at the time it occurs Officers will respond to the scene when summoned to file a report.

If the crash does not meet the previously mentioned criteria, drivers are still required to exchange information.

If you are filing a traffic crash report at a later time or date, you will need to contact the other involved party or parties and schedule a mutually acceptable time for all parties to appear at the police station, if possible. The police station front desk is available to take a traffic crash report 24 hours, 7 days a week.

How do I get fingerprinted for a job? 

Fingerprints are taken at the Police Records Bureau. Business hours are 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Police Records Bureau is closed on Weekends and Holidays.  Photo identification is required.  Fingerprints cost $15 per card.

How do I apply for a gun permit? 

Applications for a Permit to Purchase (PTP) a handgun or an Application Packet for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) may be acquired at the Police Records Bureau. Business  hours are 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Police Records Bureau is on Weekends and Holidays.

How do I get my property back from the Police Department? 

Property room hours: 
Mondays 8:00am to 12:00pm 
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00am to 10:00am and 12:00pm to 3:00pm.
Wednesdays 8:00am to 10:00 am.

Prisoner Property 

Prisoner Property can be released to the arrested person or their designate as long as they have the pink Southfield Prisoner Property form. If the form is not available, a person arrested may draft a letter that must be signed and notarized by a notary public authorizing an alternate person to pick up their property. Questions regarding the release of property may be directed to the Property Clerk at (248) 796-5510.

Evidence & Other Property 

Property seized as evidence is generally releasable after the case has been adjudicated and the appeal period has past, which is 21 days after date of conviction for a misdemeanor and 42 days after date of sentencing for a felony. Property that is found or submitted for safekeeping is usually available for release Tuesday through Friday during normal property room hours. 

Questions may be directed to the Property Clerk at (248) 796-5510.

Release of Firearms 

FIREARMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. 
State and Federal Law prohibit the release of any firearm to persons who meet one of the following general criteria: 

  1. The person has a felony conviction on their record. 
  2. The person has been convicted of Domestic Violence out of any jurisdiction. 
  3. The person has a Mental Order on their record. 
  4. The person is subject of a valid PPO or Conditional Bond Release. 
  5. The firearm was used in the commission of crime that was prosecuted under State Law.

A background check will be performed to ensure the person requesting the firearm is able to lawfully receive it. Persons wishing to retrieve a handgun must provide good ID and a valid gun registration at the time of release. Questions regarding the release of firearms may be directed to Sgt. Sikorski at (248) 796-5372.

Police Property Auctions 

The Southfield Police Department will periodically hold an auction separate from the Auto Auction. The Department uses the Claude McMillen Auction & Real Estate Company, an off-site auctioneer. Their web site can be found at http://www.mcmillenauctions.com.

How can I find out the status of a police investigation? 

Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of criminal investigations, information and the status of open investigations will not be provided over the Internet. If you are the victim of a crime and request updated information regarding the status of your case, please contact the Detective Bureau. You may telephone the Detective Bureau during normal business hours at (248) 796-5541, Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.  Please be prepared to provide the complaint number of your case, if possible.

How can I get information about sexual assault? 

If you are in immediate danger, or have suffered a sexual assault, and/or need medical assistance as a result of a sexual assault call 911 immediately , or ask a neighbor to call if you are unable. If your situation is not an emergency, but you wish to report the incident, call the Southfield Police Department or come to the Southfield Police Department. All incidents of sexual assault should be reported to law enforcement. This should be done as soon as possible after the incident to preserve evidence. You should also seek medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered. For guidelines on sexual assault, including your rights, counseling resources, and making a police report.

How do I report domestic violence to the police? 

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or ask a neighbor to call if you are unable. If you are not in immediate danger but wish to report the incident, call the Southfield Police Department or come to the Southfield Police Department. This should be done as soon as possible after the incident to preserve evidence. You should also seek medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered. 

All reports of domestic violence are investigated and directed to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for review. 

How do I get a personal protection order (PPO)? 

A Personal Protection Order is a court order that protects you from being harassed, beaten, assaulted, molested, wounded, or stalked. The PPO prohibits a named individual from doing these things to you. It also prohibits the named individual from entering your premises and removing your children, unless there is an overriding court order. 

To obtain a PPO you must go to the Oakland County Circuit Court (6th Circuit court) at 1200 North Telegraph in Pontiac, where you ask a clerk for a "do-it-yourself PPO packet." You must follow the instructions carefully when filling out the forms. The forms are then forwarded to a Judge. To have a named individual served notice of the PPO, you can contact the Oakland county Sheriff’s Office Civil Division, located in the same complex, at 1200 Telegraph in Pontiac, or call at (248) 858-5034.

How can I get information about bad checks? 

The Southfield Police Department is a participant of the Oakland County Prosecutors Bad Check Restitution Program. This program allows for certain non-sufficient funds (NSF) checks and account-closed checks to be processed with the goal of full restitution and a mandatory eight-hour intervention class for the offender. This program has had a high degree of success.