Youth Services Unit  |   K-9 Division  |  Records Division  |  Training Unit  |  Alarm Reduction Unit  |  Area Offices

Youth Services Unit (top)

1. What is WAKE-UP? WAKE-UP is an intervention/prevention program for parents and their at-risk youth, ages 10-17 years old. The program is coordinated through the Youth Services Unit, and is facilitated by a Modesto Police Department Officer. The eight class sessions consist of presentations by persons in specialized fields, who will discuss a variety of topics, and an all day field trip to a medium security prison. The classes are held once a week, in the evening, for two hours. There is no cost to sign-up for the program, but it is required that both parent and child make a commitment to participate and attend the entire eight sessions.  For further information, contact Gina McGill.

2. What is the Modesto Police P.A.L. (Police Activities League)?

Modesto P.AL. is an important link between the Modesto Police Department and the youth in our community. P.A.L. is based on the conviction that young people can resist drugs and gangs by developing strong, positive attitudes, and by learning there are alternatives to negative peer pressure. P.A.L. brings kids 7 to 18 years old and police officers together through organized sports, leisure activities and educational programs.  Modesto P.A.L. is funded totally by donations, and 100% of all donations go to support the programs and activities. MODESTO P.A.L. DOES NOT USE TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS TO OBTAIN ITS FUNDS. Some of the sports offered are boxing, basketball, baseball, and soccer.

For more information call: 572-9614 or e-mail Mike Amarillas

3. What is the Modesto Police Department Diversion Program?

Diversion is a program for first time youth offenders which is designed to assign realistic and measurable consequences, to provide counseling and education to the offender and their parent(s) on how to prevent further offenses from occurring, and to discuss what the consequences will be if the child does re-offend. The intent of the program is to help kids stay out of the main stream judicial system through directives, counseling and education.

For more information call: (209) 572-9571.

For a presentation on Gangs, call: (209) 538-5636.

For a presentation on drugs, call: (209) 572-9571.

For speakers and/or information regarding: Crime Prevention topics; Neighborhood Watch; Senior Safety; Home Security; School Carnivals; a K-9 demonstration; McGruff the Crime Dog, contact a Crime Prevention Officer at the Modesto Police Department.

Records Division (top)

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

Come to the main police station at 600 Tenth Street, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. You must fill out a request form with your name, address, phone number and reason for requesting the information. You must have a photo I.D. The cost of a report is $.35 for each page plus tax. Some reports may be released immediately, while others require supervisor or Juvenile Court approval. These reports may take up to ten working days for approval before they can be released. If you are a defendant in the case, the report will not be released to you. Your lawyer can acquire the report when s/he files for discovery, or through Superior Court.

To request a copy of a police report, print out this form, fill it out and send it, with a check or money order, to:

P.O. Box 3313, Modesto, CA  95353

For more information on police report releases or to find out how many pages are in your report, call (209) 572-9500.

Traffic collision reports take at least five working days to be available for release. If there are injuries or a fatality, this can be much longer.

For more information on traffic collision reports, call (209) 572-9592.

2. How do I get a vehicle release?

If your car was towed/stored for 30 days due to driving on a suspended license:

Come to the main lobby and fill out a Request for 30-Day Hearing form. You will be notified within 48 working hours and given a time to come back for a hearing. At that time, the hearing officer will review your case and, under certain guidelines, may release the vehicle early. If the storage is sustained, you will be required to wait the full thirty days to obtain a release. For further information, you may call the hearing officer at 342-6175 during business hours or, after hours, the main switchboard at 572-9500.

If your car is eligible for release:

Come to the main lobby and bring the following: a licensed driver, proof of ownership, proof of insurance and $160.00 in cash. During the hours of 8:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, releases are handled by the Traffic Division 572-9592, which is located adjacent to the main lobby. Outside of those hours, see the Officers in the Public Assistance Office in the main lobby.

3. Do you do fingerprinting?

We do fingerprinting for employment purposes only Monday through Friday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The cost is $7.00 per card.  Fingerprint card must be provided by the person wishing to be fingerprinted.

LiveScan fingerprinting is available at the Northeast area office, 3705 Oakdale Road.  Click here for times.    Must have photo ID and fingerprint form from employer.    For any questions, call 552-3852. 

We cannot do Immigration prints - they are done at 901 Carpenter Road #14.

4. Where are the Units for Training, Youth Services and Internal Affairs located?

All are now located at 600 10th St., Modesto.  Check in at the front desk.

5. Where is the court house?

The courthouse is located at 800 Eleventh Street.

6. Where do I pay parking tickets?

Parking tickets are paid at the City Finance Department, 1010 10th St, 2nd floor.  Anyone wishing to challenge a parking ticket would bring it to the Modesto Police Department at 600 10th Street and request the paperwork necessary for the challenge.

7. Where is traffic court?

Traffic Court is held at 2260 Floyd Avenue (just east of Oakdale Road).

8. What is the non-emergency number?

The non-emergency number for the Police Department is 209-572-9500.  It connects to the business office and is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Certain types of police reports (missing persons, stolen vehicles, petty theft, etc.) can be made by calling the main number and asking for the Telephone Reporting Unit, or by calling 209-572-9573 or 209-572-9574.  Or go to our main page and click on the e-report icon. 

For calls which need an officer to respond, call our non-emergency dispatch number 209-552-2470.

9. How can I find out if I have a warrant?

Modesto Police Department policy prohibits giving this information over the telephone. You may come into the police station in person and bring a photo I.D. Of course, you are then subject to arrest if you have an active warrant. You may also contact the court clerk’s office at 800 Eleventh Street.

Training Unit (top)

1. How do I gain admittance into the Police Academy? You will need to take a pre-test, usually given quarterly.   Police Departments sometimes pay to have trainees put through the academy but you can also pay your own way through. 2. How do I apply for a position as a Police Officer? Contact City of Modesto Personnel Division at City Hall, 1010 Tenth Street or check out our webpage at www.modestopolice.com/career/.

3. How do I become a volunteer?

The Modesto Police VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) offer three programs: Reserves, Explorers, and Police Volunteer. You may request an application by stopping by 600 Tenth Street, or call 209-572-9513 or 209-342-9164 for an application and/or further information.

4. What are the qualifications for a Reserve Officer?

All applicants must have completed (or be currently enrolled in) the Level II Course, Level I Course, or a basic Police Academy. If the minimum course requirement has not been completed, the application will not be accepted.  

• Applicants must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or in the process of applying for citizenship.
• Must meet physical requirements of the job established by the department.

For further information, check out the Careers web page.

Alarm Reduction Unit (top)

1. How do I get an alarm permit?

Call 572-9626 and give your name and mailing address. Or click here and download the alarm reduction permit form.  When you receive the permit application, fill it out as completely as possible, keep the pink copy for your records, and mail the remaining pages to PO Box 3313, Modesto CA 95353,  Attn: Alarm Reduction Unit.  For further information about the alarm ordinance, see this web page.

Other Questions

1. How can I contact an officer for a report or follow-up to an investigation?

You may leave a message for any officer to contact you by calling our main switchboard at (209) 572-9500 and asking for that officer’s voice mail.