Skip to main content
The Fergus Falls Police Department provides law enforcement and public safety services for the benefit of the community. Primary activities include:
  • Enforcement of state and city laws
  • Protection of people and property from criminal activity
  • Traffic control and investigation of traffic accidents
  • Investigation and documentation of complaints related to petty misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors or felonies
  • Administration of crime prevention programs
  • Preventative patrol

The Fergus Falls Police Department is a full service agency made up of administration, patrol, investigations, a school resource officer, and records department.  There are 24 officers, five full-time and one part-time support staff who take pride in the service they provide to the community. Police personnel respond to calls for medical assistance, disasters, aid to other departments, calls for service or aid to the public.

Contact Us

Permit to Purchase FirearmsPolice Programs & Special UnitsEmergency ManagementBody-Worn Camera Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

When Are You Open?

Fergus Falls Police Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The non-emergency number is (218) 332-5555.
Administrative office hours are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday and 8:30 am-12 pm on Fridays.
The administrative offices are closed on weekends and holidays.

When Should I Call 9-1-1?

You should call 9-1-1 anytime you have an emergency situation like a fire, serious injury, a medical condition, or if you are reporting a crime in progress.
When you call 9-1-1 an emergency dispatcher will answer the phone and ask you for details about your situation. Please speak clearly and calmly to the dispatcher.
If you dial 9-1-1 by accident, please stay on the line and advise the dispatcher that the call to 9-1-1 was an accident. If you dial 9-1-1 and hang up without speaking to a dispatcher, a police officer will most likely be sent to the location the call was made.

Where Is The Jail?

The Otter Tail County Jail is located on Junius Avenue and Mill Street and the entrance is on the north side of the building.

Where Can I Get My Fingerprints Taken?

The Fergus Falls Police Department does not do fingerprinting. Please call the Otter Tail County Administrative Sheriff's Office at (218) 998-8555 to make an appointment.

I Hear The Civil Defense Sirens. What Should I Do?

Civil defense sirens are toned to alert the public of severe weather or other emergency. If you hear the civil defense sirens sounding seek shelter immediately. Tune in to your local TV or radio station for weather and/or emergency updates.
(Be aware that the civil defense sirens are tested the first Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm.

How Long Can I Park In One Location?

Cars cannot be parked in the same spot on a city street for more than 24 hours.
The City of Fergus Falls encourages vehicles from parking on City streets after a three-inch snowfall until the streets have been plowed to full width. Vehicles that are in violation will be cited and/or towed at the owner’s expense. If the vehicle has been towed from City property or streets, it will be at the City impound lot.

What Happens to Confiscated Property?

Property obtained through criminal investigations, as well as found or confiscated property, is kept in a secure location. Confiscated property is held for 90 days after final court hearing and then is disposed of.

Predatory Offenders

The Fergus Falls Police Department takes seriously the safety of vulnerable persons in our community, especially children. As a way of ensuring compliance with the terms of their release, officers make personal contact with registered predatory offenders living within the community three to four times per year.  For more information contact Lt. Connor West at 218-332-5503 or Lt. Andrew Miller at 218-332-5502.

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault

If you have been a victim of a crime or witnessed a crime in progress, call 911. If you have been a victim of a crime that does not require an emergency response or if you desire to file a report of a crime, call the Fergus Falls Police Department at 218-998-8555.

In the case of domestic violence or sexual assault, you can ask the city or county attorney to file a criminal complaint. You also have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an Order for Protection from domestic abuse.  The order could include the following:
  • An order restraining the abuser from further acts of abuse.
  • An order directing the abuser to leave your household.
  • An order preventing the abuser from entering your home (or reasonable area around your home), school, business, or place of employment.
  • An order awarding you or the other parent custody of/or visitation of your minor child or children.
  • An order directing the abuser to pay support to you and the minor of the abuser has a court order to do so. You also have the right to notification if prosecution of the case is declined or criminal charges are dismissed.
Someplace Safe is an organization which offers services and programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Please contact them at 800-974-3359 for assistance in a confidential setting.

Automobiles, Accidents and Citations

Where can I get my driver’s license?

A driver's license is needed to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Minnesota.
Driver’s licenses can be obtained through Otter Tail County, which serves as a deputy registrar for the State of Minnesota. The Motor Vehicle Department is located at the Government Services Center 545 W Fir Avenue.

How Can I Obtain A Police or Accident Report?

Police Officer Motor Vehicle Accident reports can be released to involved drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, owners of damaged property and insurance carriers. The State also requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents to send in a form describing the accident. Motor vehicle accident forms are available at the Police Department during business hours.   The Police Department is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Mon-Thurs and 8:30 -12:00 on Friday. Please call 218-332-5555 for information regarding the cost for a report.

What is the Curfew?

Under the age of 16:                 Sunday through Saturday 11:00 p.m. -6:00 a.m.

Between 16-18 years of age:  Monday through Friday 11:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
                                                      Saturday and Sunday 12:01 a.m.-6:00 a.m.

It is unlawful for any parent, guardian, or other person having the legal care or custody of any minor person to allow or permit such minor person to be or loiter upon the streets or public places in violation of state law unless such minor is accompanied by a person of lawful age having such minor person in charge.

Citations

Signage Requests

The City frequently receives requests from residents for installation of Children at Play warning signs in residential areas. These requests stem from parental concern for the safety of their children on the streets near their homes. Unfortunately, these requests are based on a widespread, but false, belief that traffic signs provide protection.

Although such signs have been widely posted in residential areas in some municipalities, there is no evidence that they are successful in preventing injury to pedestrians, decreasing speed of vehicles, or legal liability.  Consequently, the City discontinued the use of the Children at Play warning signs. 

Studies have shown that many types of signs which have been posted in an attempt to warn of a “common” condition in a residential area have failed to achieve the desired safety benefit. Posting this type of signage may provide a false sense of security, which is a great disservice to parents and children. Since there are children in every neighborhood, signs would have to be posted on every block, or it would indicate that there are no children in areas where there are no signs posted.

Often, the main problem that spurs this sign request is drivers speeding. In that regard we recommend working with the Police Department to increase patrolling of that area. Any information you can provide them will be helpful as far as license plate numbers and/or time of day that speeding is more prominent.


Ineffective Specialty Warning Signs:  What's the Harm?

Section Tools

Hello

What is a Passkey?
Imagine signing into your account as easily as unlocking your phone—no more worrying about remembering or typing a password. A passkey is a secure digital key that uses the safety features in your device to keep your account protected. It’s designed to be both simple to use and highly secure.
Ready to experience a simpler, safer sign-in? Click the button above to create your passkey now.