Frequently Asked Questions

1) How do I make a report?

 You can call the Pawtucket Police Department to make a report regarding something occurring inside the city limits 24 hours a day at 727-9100.  You can also make a report at the police department.  You will need to provide the following information:

Name & Address
Phone Number
Location of occurrence
Type of Incident

You may also be able to submit a police report online if your complaint meets the following criteria:

• This is not an emergency.
• This incident occurred within the Pawtucket City limits.
• There are No known suspects.
• There is no physical evidence left at the scene.

2) What can I expect a police officer to do when I have asked the officer to respond to take a police report?

When the Police Officer arrives, he/she will attempt to obtain the answers to the following questions:  WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW.  Answering these questions is the goal of most police reports.  Apart from those five questions, what you can expect depends on the nature of the incident you are reporting.  Here are several common incidents and the Police Department’s procedure:

THEFT:  If you are calling to report a theft, the officer will want to obtain information regarding when you last saw your property; who would have had access to the property; the full description of the property including the value and serial number, if you have recorded one; any marks on the property that may help identify it as being your property; and who you might suspect as having taken your property.

BURGLARY:  If you are calling to report a burglary the procedure is a little different.  A burglary incident is one in which someone has entered your residence, car, or garage, etc and has removed your property without permission.  A burglary incident usually includes a theft incident, therefore we will ask the same questions as in entering your residence, car, garage, etc means that we will inspect the area entered by the suspect.  If practical, please do not move things, or clean the area prior to police arrival.  The police officer will want to see the area of the incident as the suspect left it.

3) How do I obtain a copy of a police report?

The Records Division handles all requests for copies of police reports.  Requests can be made by mail or in person.  Please fill in and print out the Request for Police Report Form.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & PRINT A REPORT REQUEST FORM

Accident reports may also be obtained from an online service provider.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE ACCIDENT REPORTS

Persons purchasing accident reports on-line will be directed to a secure website authorized to accept payments on behalf of the Pawtucket Police Department.

When requesting reports by mail, please include a legal size, self-addressed stamped envelope and a check in the amount due.  Please be aware that with the exception of accident reports, personal information for case related people such as addresses and phone numbers, will be excised from the report copy.  Also, due to the status of an investigation, some reports may not be available at the time requested.  Normally, processing a request will take 1 to 3 days.

The following fee schedule applies:

• Mail request fee for one report        $5.00
• Walk-in request fee for one report   $0.15 / per page
• Multiple Reports                           $15.00 per hour (1st hour free)
• Photo CD                                     $25.00

4)  How do I get fingerprinted?

Fingerprinting is done for Pawtucket residents only.   You may contact the following person to set up an appointment to get fingerprinted:   Beth Quinlan at 727-9100 X884.

5) Who do I contact if I have information involving a crime that has occurred?

If it is new information about a crime that occurred in the past, contact the Detective Division at (401) 727-9100 X777.

If the crime you would like to report involves the usage or distribution of illegal drugs or other vice crimes, please forward your tip to (401) 728-4242.

6) Who do I contact if I have a personnel complaint?

You can contact the department of Internal Affairs.

7) How can I help the department to recognize officers or employees who have gone above and beyond?

You can contact the department of Internal Affairs.

8) How do I obtain a VIN Verification?

You can obtain a VIN Verification at the Police Station located at:

121 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI  02860

The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. 

NO HOLIDAYS

The Fee is $10 for City Residents and $20 for Non-Residents
CASH ONLY is accepted – NO checks or credit cards
Be sure to bring the title, vehicle and picture identification.
You can contact the Police Station by calling (401) 727-9100

9) When do I need to get my car off the street for a Snow Storm?

Between December 1st and April 1st., the City of Pawtucket will declare a winter storm emergency if there is a prediction of two or more inches of snow.  At that time a parking ban will be put in effect on all city streets and you must move your vehicle off the street at that time.  The parking ban will be posted on all local radio and television broadcasts and on this website.  You can also dial the police station at 401-727-9100 and dial 888 on the auto attendant to check on a parking ban.

Authorized Parking Lots to park during a parking ban

The following are the available locations on the west side this winter:

* Morley Field off Moshassuck Street;

* The Veterans Park ball field off Smithfield Avenue;

* The Nathanael Greene School parking lot at 285 Smithfield Ave.;

* The St. Edward Church parking lot on Weeden Street;

* The Elizabeth Baldwin School lot at 50 Whitman St.;

* The Slater/Cunningham School lot at 281 Mineral Spring Ave.;

* The lot at the intersection of Marrin Street and Pine Street;

* The lot at the intersection of George Street and Grace Street;

* The Francis Varieur School lot at 486 Pleasant St.;

* The Max Read Field lot off Pleasant Street;

* The municipal lot at the intersection of Dexter Street and Andrew Ferland Way;

* The lot at the intersection of Humes Street and Broad Street;

* The City Hall lot off Roosevelt Avenue;

* And the school administration lot on Park Place.

The following are the 11 places to park during a snowstorm on the east side of Pawtucket:

* The parking lot at the intersection of Broadway and Exchange Street;

* The Agnes Little School parking lot at 60 South Bend St.;

* The Henry J. Winters School lot at 481 Broadway;

* The Curvin McCabe School lot at 466 Cottage St.;

* The Flora Curtis School lot at 582 Benefit St.;

* The ballfield lot at the intersection of Sweet Avenue and Daggett Avenue;

* The lot at the intersection of Littlefield Street and Armistice Boulevard;

* The Fallon Memorial School lot at 62 Lincoln Ave.;

* The Newport Avenue lot beside the fire station;

* And the Slater Park ball field lot.

All car owners are required by ordinance to move their vehicles back out of designated parking areas within two hours of a parking ban being lifted or face towing and a fine of $100.

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