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Police

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1. Who do I contact to make a report about a problem?

To report a problem, or to file a complaint, you should call 911. Many people are hesitant to call 911 because they don’t actually have an “emergency”. Rest assured, our dispatch center has numerous phone lines available to accommodate calls. If they have an emergency call that they are handling that will take priority and you may be placed temporarily on “hold”. There are also several dispatchers working at any given time to handle your call.

2. Do I call 911 even if it is not an emergency?

If you are calling to file a complaint or need the assistance of the police you are asked to dial 911. If you are trying to call a specific officer you may call the Shift supervisor at 989-839-4713. Or you may call a specific officer’s voice mail and leave a message to by calling 989-839-4790. See question #3 for further information.

3. I want to reach a specific officer. How do I contact them?

Call 989-839-4790. You will be asked to enter a phone number for the person you are trying to reach. If you do not know the extension of the officer, you will be asked to wait on the line until an operator is able to assist you.

4. How do I get a copy of a report from a complaint that I made?

You can contact our Records Bureau, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located just inside the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center at 2727 Rodd St. You should note that only three types of reports are available to the public. They are:

1.) Traffic Crash Reports
2.) Domestic Violence Reports - available only to the victim’s of the domestic violence
3.) Summary Reports of burglaries, larcenies, and vandalism - which contain the limited information, needed for insurance claims. Requests for all other reports must be made through the Freedom of Information Act.

5. What is the Freedom of Information Act (F.O.I.A)?

The Freedom of Information Act is an act passed by Congress. The act basically states that a public entity, such as a police department, must make all of its records available to the public unless certain criteria exist.

The F.O.I.A. benefits “both sides of the coin” in that, it protects the rights and privacy of individuals while at the same time allows public access to public documents so that the public/people may monitor and keep the government’s activities in check.

6. What happens when I file a complaint?

Once a dispatcher has received a complaint, typically a patrol officer is sent to initiate an investigation and if necessary, will type a “formal report” about the incident. Each incident or complaint is assigned a complaint number. In most instances an officer will be able provide you with this number. If further follow-up or investigation is required, often that complaint is then forwarded to the Detectives Bureau.

Once an investigation is completed and charges are being sought, that complaint is then forwarded to either the Midland City Attorney or the Midland County Prosecutors Office.

Some complaints may not require an in-depth investigation, but may require some simple involvement of the police which will be resolved at the scene. This type of complaint, like the formal report, will also have a complaint number assigned to it. By the end of each shift, that officer(s) will complete a very brief synopsis about their findings and actions.

7. How do I find out the status of a complaint that I filed?

If you have contact with the officer handling your complaint and he or she is able to resolve it, you may ask that officer about the complaints disposition. If the complaint is more in-depth and there are several officers involved, or the Detective Bureau has been assigned the complaint, you may call the Detective Bureau at 989-631-4244. You should have the complaint number available, if possible.

8. The father/mother of my child has violated a Friend of the Court visitation order. Can the Midland Police Department assist me in getting my child back?

The police do not have the legal authority to enforce orders from the Friend of the Court. Unless a court has ordered the termination of a parent’s rights, the police recognize that both parents have an interest in the child(ren). The police will not resolve disputes over the custody and visitation of the child(ren). This is a Friend of the Court and/or attorney matter.

9. Where can I get a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT)?

If you are a resident of the City of Midland, you may obtain a PBT from the Records Bureau, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At all other times, a police officer will give you the test in the lobby of the police department. The cost is $5 per test. You may also get a free Preliminary Breath Test from any officer at any time if you are under 21 years of age and have been drinking alcohol or if you are operating a vehicle and are suspected of operating it under the influence of alcohol.

10. Can I get a copy of a criminal history?

You may obtain a local background/criminal check from the Midland Police Department's Records division. This will include a check for any arrests, including the complaint number, date, and type of offense. It will not provide a disposition for the arrest. View additional information on criminal background checks through the Michigan State Police website.

11. There is a vehicle parked on my business or personal property that is not mine. What can I do about it?

You may call a wrecker company to remove a vehicle from residential property that is obviously part of a single or dual family residence.

In order for a vehicle to be removed from other forms of private property (i.e., an apartment complex or business like Meijers), signs must be prominently displayed at the vehicular entrance to the property. If the property lacks curbs or access barriers, at least one sign must be posted for each 100 feet of road frontage. The notice must contain letters not less than 2 inches high on a contrasting background. It must state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at the owner’s expense. The notice must provide the name and phone number of the towing service responsible for removing vehicles from that property. The bottom of the notice must be located not less than 4 feet from the ground, and continuously maintained on the property for not less than 24 hours before a vehicle is towed or removed.

Additionally, if the vehicle is hampering the use of private property by being parked in a manner which impedes the movement of other vehicles, it may be towed.

The only involvement of the police would be to check for a “suspicious” or stolen vehicle.

12. How can I assist or get more involved with the Midland Police Department?

There are several ways to get involved with the police department. You can join or head a Neighborhood Watch or Business Watch program, you could become a Crossing Guard, or you can simply stop to chat with one of our officers the next time you encounter one in passing.

13. Someone I know has been arrested. Who do I contact for information about their release from jail?

In Midland County, to find out if someone has been arrested or to find out the bond or a release time on someone who has been arrested, contact the Midland County Jail at 989-832-6612. The Midland County Jail is located at 301 W. Main St.

14. There is a neighborhood dog that is a nuisance. Who can I contact?

It is illegal to allow a dog to “run at large”, howl, or create an unpleasant odor in the neighborhood. To report a violation, you should contact the Animal Control Division of Midland County at 989-832-6856. After regular business hours, you can call 911.

15. What are the hours for allowable excessive noise in Midland?

There is no set time for permitted excessive noise. Under the City's Code of Ordinances, excessive noise ordinance (Sec. 16-28) applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We must recognize that when living in a city where people generally live in close proximity to one another, there will be different work and sleep habits that must be respected. All members of a community must practice tolerance and have reasonable expectations.

16. How loud is too loud for my car stereo?

The city's code of ordinances prohibits the continuance of any unreasonable, loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise (sec. 16-28). In other words, if others can hear it and it is preventable, it is too loud and you are subject to misdemeanor penalties.

17. Can I have a “campfire” in my backyard?

Read about recreational fires.

18. Why did I receive a bill from the Midland Police Department for a false alarm?

The Midland Police Department has a policy of charging for services when police officers respond to alarms that are found to be accidentally tripped because of human error or because of system error. View the Police Department false alarm guidelines.

19. How can I get a tour of the Law Enforcement Center?

If you have a group that would like to get an educational tour of the Law Enforcement Center, you may contact the Community Relations Officer at 989-839-4748 or by email.