Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)

If you are a Waterford Township resident or businessperson, and your question is not answered here, you may contact us with your specific question. All questions should include your name and a call back telephone number. Most questions can be answered the following business day, however there may be a delay of up to 72 hours.

1.  How do I get a copy of a police report?

2.  How do I get a permit to purchase a hand gun?

3.  How can I obtain a permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon?

4.  How do I seek employment with the Waterford Police?

5.  How can I obtain a Personal Protection Order?

6.  How can I ensure my child's safety on the internet?

7.  When can I retrieve my property from the Waterford Police Department?

8.  When can I have my fingerprints taken for employment purposes or get a DNA test?

9.  Where can I pay for a traffic ticket?

10. How can I prosecute under Township Law? (assault & battery, trespassing, etc.)

11. When should I call 911?

1. How do I get a copy of a police report?

Please allow three business days for processing before contacting the Records Bureau to obtain a copy of a police report.  The phone number to the Records Bureau is (248) 674-0351, extension 5080.  Business hours for this service are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Records Bureau is closed on national holidays. The fee for copies is $6.00 for the first page and $1.50 for each page thereafter. There is no charge for copies of any report which is being prosecuted through the Waterford Township Prosecutor's Office.

Police reports involving felonies are usually assigned to a Detective.  The Records Bureau will not release a copy of a police report that is assigned to a Detective if the case is still under investigation.  

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2. How do I get a permit to purchase a hand gun?

You must be a Waterford resident, have a valid Michigan Drivers License or Personal ID, have no prior felony convictions or Domestic Violence convictions, not be subject to a Personal Protection Order or Conditional Bond Release and have no current arrest warrants.

Permits to purchase a hand gun are obtained through the Waterford Police Records Bureau. The phone number of the Records Bureau is (248) 674-0351, extension 5080. Business hours for this service are listed in the chart below. There is no cost for a purchase permit. Notary fee is $10.00.

NOTE: CPL applicants who receive a CPL permit issued on or after July 1, 2001, may now use it to purchase a hand gun and will no longer be required to obtain a separate purchase permit, as long as their CPL remains valid.

Gun Permit Hours:

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3. How can I obtain a Concealed Pistol License?

To apply for a CPL in the State of Michigan as of July 1, 2001, you must be a Michigan resident 21 years of age or older, have been a state resident for at least six months, have no criminal history, and be in good mental health, in addition to several other requirements. CPL Application Kits are available at the Police Department Records Bureau during normal business hours and may be available after hours and weekends through the front desk, subject to application kit availability. The application kits are free of charge.

Applicants who receive a CPL permit may now use it to purchase a hand gun and will no longer be required to obtain a separate purchase permit, as long as their CPL remains valid.

Applicants will then have to take the completed CPL application to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for processing. The fees for this service are set by law. For more information about the changes in the law and your individual requirements, please see the Michigan State Police CPL page.

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4.  How can I get information on employment with the Waterford Township Police?  

Employment with the Waterford Township Police Department is based on Civil Service rules. Waterford Township is an equal opportunity employer.  

For more information click here.

Human Resources can be called at (248) 674-6252, or  E-mail Human Resources at award@twp.waterford.mi.us.

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5.  How can I obtain a Personal Protection Order (P.P.O.)?

Personal Protection Orders are orders that may be issued by a Circuit Court Judge. To begin the process of obtaining a P.P.O., one must start by filing for a Personal Protection Order with the Oakland County Clerk's Office.  The County Clerk's Office is located on the ground  floor of the Oakland County Circuit Court (the building on Telegraph with "1200" at the top).  P.P.O.'s are not obtained through a police department.

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6.  How can I ensure my children's safety on the Internet?

For information on Internet safety for children, please visit the web site of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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7. When can I retrieve my property from the Waterford Police Department?

It is sometimes necessary that the Waterford Township Police retain property/evidence that belongs to a person.  When this occurs, the Police Department will notify the owner by postcard when the property is available to be released.  Property is released on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM, or by appointment. 

To avoid any inconvenience, it is recommended that you call in advance to verify that staff will be available to release the property.  Between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM call (248) 618-7508. This phone number will connect to those staff members who are responsible for the release of property.

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8.  When can I have my fingerprints taken for employment purposes or get a DNA test?

The Waterford Township Police department does fingerprint individuals when needed for employment.  Fees vary by the type of service you require.  Employment fingerprints or DNA testing is taken on Tuesday and Thursday between 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM or by appointment.

To avoid any inconvenience, it is recommended that you call in advance to verify that staff will be available. Between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM call (248) 618-7508. This phone number will connect to those staff members who are responsible for finger prints.

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9.  Where can I pay for a traffic ticket?

All traffic tickets issued in Waterford Township must be paid for at the 51st District Court. The Police Department does not accept any money for traffic tickets. The 51st District Court is open between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM and is located at 5100 Civic Center Drive on the Township complex. The Court's phone number is (248) 674-4655.

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10. How can I prosecute under Township Law? (Assault & Battery, Trespassing, etc.)

If an act or event has occurred against you, or your property, which you feel is a violation of Township Ordinance, and you are willing to swear out a complaint and warrant for the arrest of the person or persons and testify in court against them, you must call the Waterford Township Police Department immediately to make a full report, stating the particulars.

Criminal prosecution reports are available the next business day. The Records Bureau business hours for this service are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Records Bureau is closed on national holidays. There is no charge for a criminal prosecution report. The phone number to the Records Bureau is (248) 674-0351, extension 5080. To obtain a warrant you must meet with the Waterford Township Attorney. For your convenience, they have an office located in the 51^st District Court, Probation Department, 5100 Civic Center Drive, next to Township Hall. The office is open Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. You do not need an appointment. The attorney will review the matter with you. Based upon that review, a decision will be made whether or not to recommend to the court to issue an arrest warrant for the responsible party. If the decision is made to issue an order for warrant, you then must swear to and sign same in the presence of a Judge or Magistrate.

The accused will be arrested and brought before the court. If a plea of not guilty is entered, the case will be set for hearing or trial. You, as a complaining witness, will be notified by the court of the trial or pre-trial date. You must appear when notified. Be prepared to spend as much as one-half (1/2) day in court for a trial and/or a pre-trial hearing. Expect to personally testify against the responsible party and be prepared to be subjected to cross-examination by the defense attorney.

The Township Attorneys will prosecute the case on your behalf at the expense of Waterford Township. If necessary, you may speak with the attorney before the court session begins.

Your failure to appear in court when notified could result in your being placed in Contempt of Court. You should keep the court advised of your current address, if you should move during the proceedings.

NOTE: The court dockets are full and justice by law takes time. If you are unsure about following up on a complaint or about testifying in court, DO NOT seek a complaint and warrant. Any other legal questions should be directed to the Township Attorney, not the police or court personnel.

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11. When should I call 911?

Waterford Township has a 911 system that is designed to link callers to a professional team of Dispatchers trained to handle police, fire, and medical emergencies as quickly as possible.  Examples of such situations are:  a crime in progress, a fire, and/or a medical emergency.  Examples of situations when 911 should not be called are:  an auto accident where there are no injuries, a crime was committed but the offender is gone, requesting information about bonfire permits, or medical situations not requiring an ambulance.

Waterford Township's 911 system has an automatic location identification system. This allows the Dispatchers receiving the 911 call to identify the address and the telephone number of the caller.  If the caller is unable to speak, police will be dispatched to the caller's location to help with the unknown emergency.

When using a cell phone to call 911, the caller's location and phone number are not available to the Dispatcher. Please remain calm.  The Dispatcher will have to ask the questions necessary in order to send the right emergency personnel and equipment. 

When using a pay phone money is not needed to call 911.  Please do not program 911 into your speed dial.  This causes accidental calls to 911, for example when the battery is low on cordless phones.  It also causes more accidental calls to 911 due to user error.  These innocent errors tie up a 911 Dispatcher and often causes police to be sent to locations where they are not needed.