By Amelia Anderson The Fresno Police Department, commonly known as FPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency responsible for public safety within the City of Fresno, California. Its duties include emergency response, neighbourhood patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, victim assistance and community policing.
Residents should choose the correct contact method according to the seriousness of the situation. Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger, a weapon is involved or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is required. For incidents that do not require an emergency response, call the Fresno Police Department’s non-emergency number at 559-621-7000.
FPD divides the city into five geographic policing districts: Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Northwest and Central. Each district office manages patrol operations and community concerns within its assigned part of Fresno.
Fresno Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Fresno Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | FPD |
| Headquarters address | 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721 |
| Alternative address wording | 2323 Mariposa Mall |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency police number | 559-621-7000 |
| Chief’s Office | 559-621-2000 |
| Records Section general number | 559-621-2500 |
| Records counter assistance | 559-621-2534 |
| Internal Affairs | 559-621-2730 |
| Traffic Enforcement | 559-621-5050 |
| Towed and impounded vehicles | 559-621-2543 |
| Gang tip line | 559-621-GANG |
| Narcotics tip line | 559-621-5900 |
| Number of policing districts | Five |
| County | Fresno County |
| Area served | Locations within Fresno city limits |
| Online reporting | Available for selected non-emergency incidents |
| Office of Independent Review | 559-621-8617 |
| Fresno County Jail information | 559-475-9491 or 559-600-8600 |
Fresno Police Department Address and Headquarters
The Fresno Police Department’s main headquarters is located at:
- 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, California 93721
Some official city information and maps identify the location as 2323 Mariposa Mall. Both address descriptions refer to the police headquarters complex in downtown Fresno.
The headquarters contains the Records Bureau public counter, administrative offices and other department-level functions. It may be used for obtaining reports, submitting complaints and handling certain police-related administrative matters.
The headquarters address should not replace the emergency or non-emergency telephone numbers. Call 911 when someone is in danger or a crime is actively occurring. For a delayed incident or another non-emergency police matter, call 559-621-7000 before visiting.
The headquarters and Records Bureau address are confirmed through the City of Fresno’s police records and complaint information.
Important Fresno Police Phone Numbers
Call 911 when:
- A crime is currently happening
- Someone is in immediate danger
- A firearm or another weapon is involved
- A suspect is still at or near the scene
- Someone has suffered a serious injury
- A serious traffic collision requires emergency assistance
- Police, fire or medical personnel are urgently needed
Call 559-621-7000 for a non-emergency police matter. This number can be used for delayed crime reports, suspicious activity that is not creating an immediate threat and incidents that require police documentation without an urgent response.
Other useful contacts include:
- Chief’s Office: 559-621-2000
- Patrol Division: 559-621-2200
- Investigative Services Division: 559-621-2400
- Traffic Enforcement: 559-621-5050
- Auto-theft tip line: 559-621-CCAT
- Gang tip line: 559-621-GANG
- Narcotics tip line: 559-621-5900
- Towed and impounded vehicles: 559-621-2543
- Abandoned vehicles: 311
The department warns that its general email system is not monitored continuously and cannot be used to request an immediate police response.
Fresno Police Department Districts
Fresno has five geographic policing districts. Each district has an office that supports patrol operations, crime prevention and neighbourhood policing.
| Policing district | Address | Phone number |
| Southwest District | 1211 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93706 | 559-621-6100 |
| Southeast District | 224 S. Argyle Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702 | 559-621-6300 |
| Northeast District | 1450 E. Teague Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720 | 559-621-6400 |
| Northwest District | 3080 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711 | 559-621-6500 |
| Central District | 3502 N. Blackstone Avenue, Suite 201, Fresno, CA 93726 | 559-621-6200 |
These district offices should not be confused with independent police departments. They are local commands operating under the Fresno Police Department.
1. Southwest District
The Southwest District serves communities in the southern and western parts of Fresno. Its coverage includes residential neighbourhoods, commercial properties and industrial areas.
2. Southeast District
The Southeast District is responsible for neighbourhoods and business areas in southeast Fresno. Residents may contact its office regarding local crime-prevention programmes and recurring community concerns.
3. Northeast District
The Northeast District serves much of northeast Fresno, including residential developments and commercial areas near major roads.
4. Northwest District
The Northwest District covers neighbourhoods and businesses in northwest Fresno, including areas around Shaw Avenue and other major commercial corridors.
5. Central District
The Central District serves central Fresno. Its office is located on North Blackstone Avenue rather than at the main police headquarters.
Police-district boundaries may not follow ZIP codes, council districts or commonly used neighbourhood names. Residents should use the official police district locator or provide the exact incident address when asking which office is responsible.
Department Divisions and Specialized Units
The geographic policing districts form part of the Patrol Division, but the Fresno Police Department has a broader organizational structure.
Major department functions include:
- Office of the Chief
- Administrative Services
- Patrol operations
- Support services
- Investigative services
Patrol officers generally provide the first response to calls. They protect crime scenes, interview victims and witnesses, collect initial evidence and prepare police reports.
Cases requiring additional work may be transferred to detectives or specialized investigators. Depending on the incident, these personnel may investigate homicide, robbery, assault, domestic violence, child abuse, financial crimes, gang activity, narcotics offences, burglary or auto theft.
FPD also operates specialized services such as:
- SWAT
- Canine teams
- Traffic enforcement
- Collision investigation
- Air support
- Crime-scene investigation
- Crisis negotiation
- Explosive-ordnance response
- Crisis-intervention services
- School resource officers
- Community policing and crime prevention
Residents with ongoing neighbourhood concerns can also contact the Community Services Officer assigned to their policing district.
What County Is the Fresno Police Department In?
The Fresno Police Department is located in Fresno County, California. Its normal jurisdiction is based on Fresno city limits rather than the entire county.
FPD is separate from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Fresno police officers handle municipal law enforcement within the City of Fresno. The Sheriff’s Office patrols unincorporated county areas, operates county jail facilities, provides court-related services and performs other county-level duties.
This difference matters because an address may use “Fresno” as its mailing city without being located inside the City of Fresno. Properties outside municipal boundaries may be served by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office or another law-enforcement agency.
The Sheriff’s Office advises that incidents outside its unincorporated patrol jurisdiction should be reported to the agency responsible for the location where they occurred.
Filing a Fresno Police Report
A report can be made by:
- Calling 911 for an emergency
- Calling 559-621-7000 for a non-emergency
- Using the Fresno Police online reporting system
- Visiting police headquarters or contacting the appropriate district
The online reporting system can be used only when:
- The matter is not an emergency
- The incident occurred within Fresno city limits
- The incident did not occur on a state freeway
- The incident does not involve a stolen motor vehicle or licence plate
- The incident does not involve someone unlawfully entering a home
Incidents that may be reported online include:
- Custody-order violations
- Fraud and identity theft
- Certain harassing telephone calls
- Property-damage-only hit-and-run collisions
- Lost property
- Theft, excluding motor vehicles and licence plates
- Vandalism, excluding graffiti
- Vehicle burglary
- Additional property connected to an existing report
After submitting an online report, the reporting person receives a temporary case number and can print a copy of the submission. The report is reviewed by the department, and the person may be contacted when additional information is needed.
Obtaining Police Reports
Police reports are maintained by the Fresno Police Department Records Section. The public counter is located in the headquarters lobby at:
- 2323 Mariposa Street
- Fresno, CA 93721
For records assistance, call 559-621-2534.
The City’s main Records and Reports page lists general Records Section business hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Another police FAQ lists shorter public-counter hours. Because the published hours are not fully consistent, residents should call before travelling to headquarters.
A requester should provide:
- Police case number
- Incident date and approximate time
- Exact incident location
- Names of the people involved
- Type of incident
- Requester’s identification
- Explanation of the requester’s connection to the report
Crime reports may not be released when the case remains under investigation or contains protected juvenile, victim or confidential information.
Reports can also be requested through the City’s online Public Records Request Portal or by mail. Mailed requests should include a written explanation, identifying details and a copy of current identification.
Obtaining a Traffic Collision Report
Fresno Police Department collision reports can be ordered online. The online service charges a convenience fee, while eligible reports may be obtained without that convenience fee at the police Records Lobby.
Under California law, collision reports are generally available only to authorized parties, such as:
- A driver or passenger involved in the collision
- A witness or owner of damaged property
- A parent or legal guardian of an involved minor
- A lawyer representing an involved person
- An involved person’s insurance company
- Another authorized police agency
To locate a collision report online, the requester needs the collision date and additional information such as the street name, case number, involved person’s surname or registered owner’s surname.
The department’s FAQ states that traffic collision reports may become available through the online service approximately 48 hours after the incident, although complex reports may require additional processing time.
Complaints About Fresno Police Conduct
A complaint about a Fresno Police Department employee can be filed with the department’s Internal Affairs Unit.
Internal Affairs telephone: 559-621-2730
Complaints may be submitted:
- Online
- By telephone
- In person at police headquarters
- By mail
- Through the City of Fresno Office of Independent Review
Mail complaints to:
Fresno Police Department
Internal Affairs
P.O. Box 1271
Fresno, CA 93715-1271
Useful information includes the incident date, time and location, officer’s name or badge number, police vehicle number, witness details, photographs, medical records and any police report or citation number.
The City of Fresno Office of Independent Review operates separately from the Police Department. It reviews Internal Affairs investigations and examines whether complaints were investigated fairly and thoroughly.
- Office of Independent Review
- 2600 Fresno Street
- Fresno, CA 93721
- Phone: 559-621-8617
Complaints submitted to the Office of Independent Review are forwarded to Internal Affairs and monitored through the investigation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I file a report at any Fresno policing district office?
A: A district office may provide guidance, but the office responsible for the incident location may handle the matter more directly. Call 559-621-7000 or use the district locator before visiting.
Q: Can I report a stolen car through the online system?
A: No. The online system does not accept reports involving stolen motor vehicles or licence plates. Call the non-emergency number unless the theft is happening or creates an immediate danger.
Q: What should I do if my Fresno address is outside city limits?
A: Contact the agency responsible for the exact incident location. Some Fresno mailing addresses are outside the City of Fresno and may fall under Fresno County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.
Q: How can I add more information to an existing police report?
A: Call the Communications Center at 559-621-7000. Certain additional property or supplemental information may also be submitted through the online reporting system using the original case number.
Q: Does the Fresno Police Department operate the county jail?
A: No. Fresno County jail facilities are operated by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Current jail information is available at 559-475-9491 or 559-600-8600.
Q: Why does my online report have a temporary case number?
A: Online submissions are reviewed before a permanent number is assigned. Keep the temporary number until the department confirms that the report has been accepted and processed.
Q: Can a tourist or visitor file a Fresno police report?
A: Yes. A person does not need to live in Fresno to report an incident that occurred within city limits. Visitors should provide permanent contact information and keep the case number for later communication.
Q: How can I find where my vehicle was towed?
A: Use Fresno’s towed-vehicle search service or call the department’s tow coordinator at 559-621-2543. Have the licence-plate number, vehicle identification number and vehicle description ready.
Q: Can another person obtain my police report?
A: Possibly. Access depends on the report type, the requester’s involvement and applicable privacy laws. A lawyer, insurer or authorized representative may need identification and written authorization.
Q: Can I file an online report for a residential burglary?
A: Not when someone unlawfully entered the home. Call the non-emergency number if the incident is over and there is no danger. Call 911 when the burglary is happening, a suspect may still be present or the scene is unsafe.
Q: What if the incident happened on a freeway within Fresno?
A: The Fresno Police online system does not accept incidents occurring on a state freeway. Contact the California Highway Patrol or call 911 when emergency assistance is required.