Police Department
Records Section
The Records Section 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, 
and 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.
The Records staff consists of one Records Clerk, one Office Assistant, and the Support Services Manager, who is also the Chief’s Administrative Assistant. Their combined wealth of knowledge and experience in customer service and the criminal justice system is over seventy-five years!
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.
Individuals may request their own criminal history records via fingerprint submission from the FBI. Please go to the FBI website to learn their procedures.
Court Information
The Ferndale Municipal Court offices are located at Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main Street (at the corner of Fourth and Main.) The phone number is 360-384-2827.
The courtroom is located at the City Council Chambers, Second and Vista.
The courtroom is located at the City Council Chambers, Second and Vista.
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.
Fingerprinting
We do fingerprinting by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2:30 and 3:45 p.m. The fee for this service is $10 per card. Please call 360-384-3390 extension 201 to make an appointment.
Please note, if you are late for your appointment, you may have to wait while others are printed first.
Please note, if you are late for your appointment, you may have to wait while others are printed first.
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.
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.
Protection Orders
Protection Orders, Restraining Orders, No-Contact Orders, and Anti-Harassment Orders are all issued by the courts, not by the police. For information on how to obtain one of these orders, visit the Whatcom County Court's website, or go to the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Once the order is issued, if you live within the city of Ferndale, bring a copy of your order to the police department. We will ensure that the order is entered into the nationwide law enforcement computer system. If the person the order is against lives in Ferndale, our officers will serve the order on that person.
If you are the victim of a domestic violence assault and the person who assaulted you was taken to jail, he or she will automatically be issued a No Contact Order on release from jail. You do not have to petition the court for an order under these circumstances.
Once the order is issued, if you live within the city of Ferndale, bring a copy of your order to the police department. We will ensure that the order is entered into the nationwide law enforcement computer system. If the person the order is against lives in Ferndale, our officers will serve the order on that person.
If you are the victim of a domestic violence assault and the person who assaulted you was taken to jail, he or she will automatically be issued a No Contact Order on release from jail. You do not have to petition the court for an order under these circumstances.
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 complete a request form online, or pick one up at the front desk of the police department.
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.
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 complete a request form online, or pick one up at the front desk of the police department.
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.
Statistics
Our yearly Uniform Crime Report statistics are available here. (Requires Adobe Reader.)
Other statistical data is available for various purposes; please call us at 360-384-3390 extension 202 if you have need of statistical information.
Other statistical data is available for various purposes; please call us at 360-384-3390 extension 202 if you have need of statistical information.