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Police

Show All Answers

1. How do I compliment an officer?

If you would like to compliment an officer, your comments will go directly to Matthew Stewart, Chief of Police. You can also come to the front desk of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to midnight) or call 623-3131 where your compliment will be sent directly to the officer's supervisor. Compliment Officer

2. How do I file a complaint?

Officer complaints can be submitted online. You can also come to the front desk of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to midnight) to fill out a complaint form in person. Officer Complaint

3. When can I come to the police department to get fingerprinted?

Starting Nov. 1st 2016, Joplin Police Department will no longer fingerprint .There are companies locally that will provide this service.

4. How do I obtain a local background check?

Local background checks are the only background checks performed at Joplin Police Department. If you are needing a state background check, Missouri counties that are registered can be accessed at www.courts.mo.gov. The Joplin Police Department does not perform county or state background checks. A local background check costs $5.00 and can be requested at the police department's records division at 303 E. 3rd Street Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. An ID is required. Cash, Master Card, Visa or check only. State Background Check

5. How do I get a police report?

Incident reports can be requested at police records, 303 E. 3rd Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. They are $2.00 a copy. Cash, Master card, Visa or check only. All other report inquiries can be made at police records and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

6. How do I get an accident report?

Accident and reports can be requested at police records, 303 E. 3rd Street, Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. They are $2.00 per report. Cash, Master Card, Visa or check only.

If you would like to download a copy of your accident report, visit the Carfax website at www.crashdocs.org. You will need the date of the crash, last name, and report number.
Carfax will charge a convenience fee of $5.50 in addition to the Police Department’s charge of $2.00 for the accident report.
If you would rather still come to the police department to obtain a copy and not pay the convenience fee, then that will still be an option.

7. How soon can I get my accident or incident report?

Generally, an accident or incident report is ready two to three business days after the accident/incident has occurred. Sometimes this process may be delayed due to the seriousness of the accident/incident or if the report is still under supervisor review.

8. How do I get an abandoned property tow form?

Abandoned property tow forms are no longer available at the police department. These forms may be obtained by going to the Department of Revenue website at dor.mo.gov and searching for form number 4669. Department of Revenue

9. How do I get my property/evidence back?

Come to the records division of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street and fill out and turn in a property and evidence release form. The form will then be sent to the assigned police officer or detective who will sign off on it then the evidence technician will call you to schedule an appointment to pick up your property/evidence.

Our evidence technician works Monday through Friday 8:00 to 3:00, so it will be during those days and hours that your appointment will be made. Property/evidence cannot be released on weekends. Due to international police accreditation standards, as well as department policy, property and evidence can only be released by an evidence custodian. Property and Evidence Release Form

10. How do I obtain a liquor license? Taxi license? Security license?

All three of these can be obtained at the records division of the police department at 303 E. 3rd Street Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00. For taxi and security licenses, proof of employment is required. For all liquor, security, taxi, private investigator and solicitor license a fingerprinting cost of $50 is required. After the fingerprint results are obtained, there is another $50 per year charge to maintain the license. Cash, Master Card, Visa or check only.

11. How do I report graffiti?

The graffiti abatement program ensures quick removal of graffiti by Joplin Police Department. You need to contact Officer Lacey Baxter at 623-3131 ext. 601 to report graffiti. A member of the RAPID Team will then contact you and ask that you sign a permission waiver form before we remove the graffiti at no cost to you. Report Graffiti

12. How do I report a crime?

You can report a crime through the police department's website, our telephone reporting officer, or the front desk. On the website, click on Contact JPD - Report a Crime. This will take you to our online reporting system where you can leave a contact name and number or remain anonymous. If you leave a name and number, a police officer will contact you for follow-up. The online report form does not serve as an official police report. An actual report can be filed when the officer contacts you if that is what needs to be done. Do not use the online report form for crimes in progress. If you would rather contact our telephone reporting officer to make a report over the phone, call 623-3131. To report a crime in person, come to the front desk of the police department where an officer will be dispatched to you. Take note that this will require some wait time on your part, depending on how soon an officer can get to you. Report a Crime

13. What happens after my report is filed?

A report must first be completed by a patrol officer. The report is then approved by a patrol supervisor and assigned to an investigator. This process could take a couple of days. However, if it is a serious felony case, such as a violent crime, a follow-up by a detective will be made sooner. All other cases, such as property crimes, are assigned and will be followed-up depending on the solvability of the case. Factors that influence the solvability of a case are suspect information, physical evidence, etc.

14. What is a telephone report?

A telephone report of a past-tense crime where there is no evidence to collect can be made to the police department at 623-3131 where your name and phone number will be taken. A telephone reporting officer will call you back that same day or the following Monday if it is a weekend. If your crime is an emergency or an in-progress crime, call 911.

15. When are 911 calls appropriate?

For any in-progress crime, serious accident, emergency, or medical emergency, call 911. For other past-tense crimes, minor accidents, or non-emergencies, call the police department's non-emergency line at 623-3131. Do not call 911 to ask for directions, complain about an officer, inquire about the status of a case, ask for an officer, or any other non-emergency issue. These calls should be made to 623-3131.

16. What do I do if I am in an accident?

If you are in a non-injury accident with minimal damage, pull off the roadway and call the police department at 623-3131. While you are waiting for an officer to arrive, if other drivers are involved, exchange information with them. Have your insurance card and driver's license available for the officer. If you are in an injury accident, call 911 immediately and wait for officers to arrive.

17. Who do I contact to get information on starting a Neighborhood Watch Program?

Contact the RAPID team at 627-8880.

18. I am moving to Joplin. Can I obtain crime statistics for a particular neighborhood?

If you have general inquiries on specific neighborhoods or areas of Joplin, you can contact the department's crime analyst Vanessa West at 623-3131 ext. 1413.

Crime Reports

19. Where is the courthouse located?

The Jasper County Courthouse is at the corner of 6th and Pearl, 602 S. Pearl. The Municipal Court is located at 303 E. 3rd.

20. How do I get someone out of jail?

You can either go through a bondsman or pay the bond directly to the jail, which can be paid at the police department. The jail accepts cash only.

21. What are the jail visiting hours?

Jail visiting hours are held every Friday from 8:30 am to 11:00 am and are operated on a first come, first serve basis.

22. What can I bring/not bring to my relative or friend in jail?

Any medication must have the inmate's name on it.