Support Services

The Support Services staff is responsible for a myriad of tasks including the processing of all police reports and related citations, preparing these documents for the prosecutors and courts, Records Staff 2009and responding to requests for disclosure from other agencies and the public; entry of arrest warrants and court orders into local, state and national crime data-bases; conducting background checks for processing concealed pistol licenses and handgun transfers; receiving and releasing property; compiling crime statistics; compiling and disseminating weekly activity reports to local media; providing monthly department activity summaries to City Council; answering the office phones and providing assistance to those who visit the front lobby, and assisting the administration and staff with other duties as needed.

Optimally, our Section consists of four  professional staff.  However, in May 2009, the City decided to save some money by laying off our office assistant, and, in July, when our Support Services Manager resigned, they decided to leave that position vacant, as well.  So we are currently two people doing the work of four. Our staff to officer ratio is now 1 to 9.5, so please be patient if our customer service is not what it used to be. We are trying!

To learn more about the services we offer, please click on the appropriate links below.

Criminal History Concealed Pistol and Other Firearm Licenses Court Information
Emergency Vouchers Fingerprinting Lost and Found
Protection Orders Report Requests Statistics

Criminal History

In the State of Washington, conviction criminal history (that is, records of arrests that have gone through the courts and the subject convicted of the crime) is public record and available to the public online through the Washington State Patrol's WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) program, or by calling the WSP's Identification and Criminal History Section at 360-705-5100. The Ferndale Police Department can only release conviction criminal history on arrests that have occurred within the city limits of Ferndale.

Individuals may request their own criminal history records via fingerprint submission from the FBI. Please go to the FBI website to learn their procedures.
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Court Information

The Ferndale Municipal Court and Probation offices are located at Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main Street (at the corner of Fourth and Main.) The Court phone number is 360-685-2357, the Probation office is 360-384-5421.
The courtroom is located at the City Council Chambers, Second and Vista. Court is held on Friday mornings, jury trials are usually scheduled for Thursdays.
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Emergency Vouchers

Thanks to the Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Program, we are able to provide short term financial assistance to Ferndale residents and travelers who have experienced an emergency and are in need of help. Types of assistance include food, gas, bus fare, prescription/medical assistance for seniors, and in extreme emergencies, shelter for families. Please call or stop in for further information.
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Fingerprinting

We do fingerprinting by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. The fee for this service is $10 per card. Please call 360-384-3390 to make an appointment.
Please note, if you are late for your appointment, you may have to wait while others are printed first.
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Lost and Found

If you have found an item within the city limits, please turn it in at the front desk at the police department. You will be issued a receipt for the item and, if it's unclaimed after 60 days, you may be able to claim it provided certain conditions have been met.

If you are missing an item, you may report it online, or call us or stop by the office. We will check our database of found property to see if it has been turned in. If not, we'll take a report so your information will be on file if the property is recovered.

We are often asked whether we auction or otherwise sell found bicycles. Beginning in May, 2006, we will be auctioning bicycles and other unclaimed property online at Propertyroom.com.
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Protection Orders

Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Restraining Orders, No Contact Orders and Anti-Harassment orders are issued by the courts, not the police. Petitioning the court for one of these orders can be confusing at best, and often overwhelming for someone who is already in a crisis situation. We strongly advise contacting one of the agencies listed on our DV Resources page to discuss your situation, devise a safety plan, and to obtain an advocate's help with the protection order if one is deemed necessary. An advocate will be able to help you through every step of the process and will even accompany you to court.

If you choose not to use an advocate's assistance, the court forms can be found at the Washington Courts website and are available in a number of languages. They may also be picked up from Superior or District Court in the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham.

For assistance with the forms, visit Washington Law Help and click on the Domestic Violence & Anti-Harassment link.
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Report Requests

Traffic accident reports are only available to those directly involved; drivers, owners of vehicles/property, injured parties, their legal representatives, attorneys and insurers. You can pick up your copy of an accident report at the front counter at the police department during regular business hours, but please phone first (360-384-3390) to see if the report is ready for release.

Other police reports may or may not be releasable, depending upon a number of factors determined by State law. A written request is required and per RCW 42.17.320, we have up to five business days in which to respond to the request. A staff member must read the report carefully to ensure that it is releasable, and that private or otherwise protected information is deleted prior to disclosure. There is a fifteen cent per page fee for this service. Feel free to call us at 360-384-3390 if you have any questions about the process.

You may pick up a request form at the front desk of the police department, or give us a call and we can fax or email it to you.

Please note that if you were arrested and want a copy of your arrest report to be used in your defense in court, you must make this request to the appropriate court.
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Statistics

Our yearly Uniform Crime Report statistics are available here. (Requires Adobe Reader.)
Other statistical data may be available for various purposes; please call us at 360-384-3390 if you have need of statistical information.
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