Frequently asked Questions
- When should I call 911?
- How do I report a crime?
- How do I report a crime and remain anonymous?
- How do I get a copy of a police report?
- What Court does the Watertown Police Department use?
- How do I apply for an internship?
- Does the Watertown Police Department do fingerprint cards?
- Does the Watertown Police Department sell or swap shoulder patches?
- How do I report police misconduct?
- How do I handle annoying phone calls?
- What is the process to become a Police Officer?
- What hours is the Watertown Police Station open?
- How do I find out if there are any registered sex offenders living near me?
- Who are the Police Officers that work in my neighborhood?
- Does the Watertown Police Department install or inspect child car seats?
- How do I make a parking complaint?
- How do I report speeding cars in my neighborhood?
- How do I pay or appeal a parking ticket?
- How do I pay or appeal a moving violation?
- I locked my keys in my car, can the Police Department assist me?
- What are the reporting requirements after I've been involved in a traffic accident?
- When does the all night parking ban start?
- What is an abandoned motor vehicle?
You should call 911 when there is an actual life threatening emergency or serious crime in progress. You may be asked to stay on the phone with the Dispatcher or Police Officer until help arrives. All other crimes or questions should go through the Police Department main number 617-972-6500.
Call Police Department main number 617-972-6500 and provide as much detail as possible.
How do I report a crime and remain anonymous?
You may call our Stop a Crime Tip Line 617-972-6408.
How do I get a copy of a police report?
You may request a copy of a Police report through our Records Bureau.
What Court does the Watertown Police Department use?
The Watertown Police Department is serviced by the Middlesex County District Attorney in various courts within the County. Motor vehicle hearings and misdemeanor crimes are heard at:
Waltham District Court.
38 Linden Street
Waltham, MA 02154
(781) 894-4500
Do I need a permit to carry mace or pepper spray?
Yes, a Firearms Identification card (FID) is required to legally possess chemical agents. Follow this link for further information on how to obtain a FID.
Follow this link for further information on how to obtain License To Carry firearms (LTC).
Does the Watertown Police Department do fingerprint cards?
Finger printing is available for Watertown Residents ONLY
There is no fee
Positive identification is required
Service may be requested at any time, however, if the police department is housing prisoners no fingerprinting can be done.
It is recommended to telephone the police department first to confirm service availability 617-972-6500
NOTE: The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will not accept fingerprints from applicants processed by the Watertown Police Department. You should proceed to the nearest INS office for processing or call the INS Help line (# 202-305-7802, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) for instructions.
Does the Watertown Police Department sell or swap shoulder patches?
Unfortunately the Watertown Police Department no longer swaps or offers patches for sale.
How do I report police misconduct?
You are asked to call the Officer in Charge through the Police Department main phone number, 617-972-6500. Issues of a serious criminal nature may be reported directly to the Chief of Police, 617-972-6537.
How do I handle annoying phone calls?
This link has information on what to do with annoying/harassing phone calls.
What is the process to become a Police Officer?
Follow this link for further information about the process required to become a Police Officer.
How do I apply for an internship?
Follow this link to a page explaining the process.
What hours is the Watertown Police Station open?
The Watertown Police Department is open 24 hours a day everyday of the year. You may call or stop by the station at any time.
How do I find out if there are any registered sex offenders living near me?
Click here for a copy of a form to request sex offender information. The Watertown Police Department requires positive photo identification at the time of application.
Where the Sex Offender Registry Board determines that the risk of re-offense by an offender is low and the degree of dangerousness posed to the public by that offender is not such that a public safety interest is served by public availability, the Board shall give that offender a Level 1 designation. Information on Level 1 offenders will not be available to the public. Neither the police nor the Board have authority to disseminate information to the general public identifying a Level 1 offender. Information identifying Level 1 offenders may only be given to the department of correction, any county correctional facility, the department of youth services, the department of social services, the parole Board, the department of probation and the department of mental health, all city and town police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for law enforcement purposes.
Where the Board determines that the risk of re-offense is moderate and the degree of dangerousness posed to the public is such that a public safety interest is served by public availability of registration information, it shall give a level 2 designation to the sex offender. The public shall have access to the information regarding a level 2 offender through the Local Police Department and through the Sex Offender Registry Board.
What is a level 3 Offender?
Where the Board determines that the risk of re-offense is high and the degree of dangerousness posed to the public is such that a substantial public safety interest is served by active dissemination, it shall give a level 3 designation to the sex offender. The public shall have access to the information regarding a level 3 offender through the Local Police Departments and through the Sex Offender Registry Board .
Who are the Police Officers that work in my neighborhood?
Police Officers working in the Patrol Division are assigned to specific Community Policing routes. Please check out the specific route page for your neighborhood to learn who the Police Officers working there are.
Does the Watertown Police Department install or inspect child car seats?
The Watertown Police Department Traffic Division is proud to make available a nationally certified Child Car Seat technician. Please contact Officer Charles Samios to schedule a car seat installation at 617-972-6497.
How do I make a parking complaint?
Call the main business number, 617-972-6500. Explain the situation in as much detail as possible (type of car, color of car and license plate if possible) to the Dispatcher or Police Officer that answers the call and a cruiser will be dispatched to investigate your complaint.
How do I report speeding cars in my neighborhood?
Call the main business number, 617-972-6500. Explain the situation in as much detail as possible (type of car, color of car and license plate if possible) to the Dispatcher or Police Officer that answers the call and a cruiser will be dispatched to investigate your complaint. You may also make a request to have one of the Department’s Radar Trailers placed on your street.
How do I pay or appeal a parking ticket?
Follow the directions on the ticket to request an appeal. Parking tickets may be paid in person at Town Hall or through the mail using the ticket as the envelope.
How do I pay or appeal a moving violation?
Follow the instructions on the back of the citation to request an appeal or make your payment. You may also pay moving violations online through the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s web site.
I locked my keys in my car, can the Police Department assist me?
The Police Department may be able to assist you. Several factors may prevent the officer from opening your vehicle, the most common reason would be power locks which require special tools to gain entry. You may need to call a towing company.
What are the reporting requirements after I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?
When do I have to file an accident report?
If any person is killed or injured or where there is damage in excess of $ 1,000.00 to any one vehicle or other property you must file an accident report.
Where can I obtain an accident report form?
Any police department will carry a supply of accident report forms. Forms can also be downloaded here.
How long do I have to file an accident report?
You have five (5) business days starting the next business day after the accident.
Where do I file my accident report?
You need to have three (3) copies of your accident report and send them to the following:
- The police department that has jurisdiction over the location where your accident occurred
- Registry of Motor Vehicles
- Your insurance company or keep for your own records if not needed by same
- It is suggested you contact your insurance agent and they will in turn mail your accident reports to the appropriate agencies.
What kind of information should I retrieve from the other operator if I'm in an accident?
- You should obtain;
- Operator’s name, current address, license number & expiration, and date of birth.
- Vehicle’s registration number, make, model, color
- Vehicle owner's name and address
Can I get a copy of the police officer's accident report?
It is the policy of the Watertown Police Department not to release the investigating officer's report of an accident until all persons involved file their reports. However, the police department will release the front side of the officer's report which contains the necessary operator, vehicle and insurance information.
Need additional information? Click on this Registry of Motor Vehicles link to their home page.
When does the all night parking ban start?
Typically, enforcement of the all night parking ban begins the Sunday following Thanksgiving and ends on April 1st. These dates may vary from year to year. Check our homepage for the most current information. Parking on any public way within the Town of Watertown between the hours of 1AM and 6AM for more than one hour is prohibited, this overnight parking is typically only enforced during the winter months.
What is an abandoned motor vehicle?
A vehicle left parked and unattended for 72 hours or more. If a vehicle is legally parked on a public way and is left for more than 72 hours by its owner, said vehicle may be deemed to be ABANDONED as provided by Chapter 90 § 22C. The assigned officer, may after investigation, tow said vehicle in accordance with departmental towing procedures.
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