By Amelia Anderson The Fargo Police Department (FPD) is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving Fargo, North Dakota. It provides patrol response, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, community policing, school-related policing, records services, evidence and property functions, specialized enforcement and other public-safety services within the city.
For an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911. For immediate non-emergency police assistance, call 701-235-4493. The department also provides an online reporting system for certain qualifying incidents that do not involve a known suspect or an active emergency.
Fargo Police is organized into three operational divisions: Neighborhood Services, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards. Patrol services operate continuously, while the public lobby and administrative services follow separate office hours.
Fargo Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Fargo Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | FPD |
| Headquarters | 105 25 St. N., Fargo, ND 58102 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency police | 701-235-4493 |
| Headquarters fax | 701-241-8272 |
| Narcotics information | 701-241-1415 |
| Property release appointments | 701-241-1422 |
| Victim Services Specialist | 701-241-8291 |
| Citizen complaint phone | 701-241-8175 |
| Main operational divisions | Three |
| County | Cass County, North Dakota |
| Online police reporting | Available for qualifying non-emergency incidents |
| Cass County Jail | 450 34th St. S., Fargo, ND 58103 |
| Cass County Jail phone | 701-271-2900 |
The Fargo Police Department headquarters lobby is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The City notes that the lobby closes at 2:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Emergency and dispatch services are not limited to these lobby hours.
Fargo Police Department Address
The main Fargo Police Department facility is located at:
- Fargo Police Department Headquarters
- 105 25 St. N., Fargo, ND 58102
- Non-emergency: 701-235-4493
The headquarters is the department’s primary public contact location for police administration, records-related services, complaint intake, property matters and other police functions that require in-person assistance.
Residents may contact the department for matters such as:
- Filing a non-emergency police report
- Requesting police assistance
- Asking about an existing incident or case
- Requesting police records
- Arranging a property-release appointment
- Submitting a complaint or commendation
- Reporting neighborhood or traffic concerns
- Seeking victim-support information
Fargo Police Department Organization
Fargo Police divides its main operational work among three divisions:
- Neighborhood Services Division
- Criminal Investigations Division
- Professional Standards Division
The divisions cover patrol and community response, follow-up investigations, specialized crime work, records, training, accountability and other support functions. Fargo Police also participates in regional public-safety teams and task forces when incidents require shared resources.
Neighborhood Services Division
The Neighborhood Services Division provides the department’s front-line patrol and community response. Patrol officers work four shifts and respond to calls for service throughout the year.
The division includes patrol and specialized community-facing assignments such as:
- Patrol officers
- Truck regulatory enforcement
- Municipal Court bailiff duties
- Airport officers
- School Resource Officers
- Community Engagement Team
- Community Service Officers
- K-9 services
Patrol officers handle emergency and routine calls, conduct preliminary investigations, enforce criminal and traffic laws, assist victims, make arrests when appropriate and document incidents. The city is divided into patrol areas so officers can be assigned to specific parts of Fargo.
Criminal Investigations Division
The Criminal Investigations Division conducts follow-up work on cases that require more extensive investigation than the initial patrol response. Investigators work on violent crime, sexual assault, property crime, crimes against children, narcotics and other complex cases.
Investigative teams and functions include:
- Adult Violent Crimes
- Adult Sexual Assault investigations
- Property Crimes
- Crimes Against Children
- Narcotics investigations
- Metro Area Street Crimes work
- Cass County Drug Task Force participation
- Intelligence and analysis functions
Detective follow-up can depend on the seriousness of the offense, available evidence, suspect information and whether there are workable investigative leads. Residents with narcotics-related information may contact the Narcotics Unit at 701-241-1415.
Professional Standards Division
The Professional Standards Division supports department integrity, training, records management, accountability and evidence-related functions. It helps maintain internal standards while also providing services that members of the public use when requesting records or raising concerns about employee conduct.
Functions associated with the division include:
- Professional Accountability Unit
- Training and Development Unit
- Records Unit
- Evidence and Property functions
The Professional Accountability Unit reviews matters involving employee performance, citizen complaints and high-liability incidents. The Records Unit serves as the custodian of police records and processes public requests for police reports.
Specialized and Regional Police Services
Fargo Police also uses specialized capabilities for incidents that go beyond ordinary patrol or investigative work. The department leads or participates in regional teams that may be activated for high-risk events or specialized investigations.
Examples include:
- Red River Valley SWAT functions
- Bomb response
- Crisis negotiation
- K-9 support
- Community engagement services
- Regional narcotics and street-crime enforcement
- Intelligence and analysis support
What County Is Fargo Police Department In?
The Fargo Police Department is located in Cass County, North Dakota.
FPD is a municipal police agency serving the City of Fargo and is separate from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Fargo Police handles city law-enforcement calls and investigations, while the Sheriff’s Office performs county-level duties and operates the Cass County Jail.
This distinction is important after an arrest. A police investigation or city incident may remain with Fargo Police, while a person who is booked into county custody is handled through the Cass County correctional system.
Filing a Fargo Police Report
For an active crime, emergency or immediate threat, call 911. For immediate police assistance when the situation is not an emergency, call 701-235-4493.
In some non-emergency situations, a dispatcher may direct or transfer a caller to the appropriate unit to complete a report. Fargo Police also provides an online citizen reporting system for selected incident types.
When reporting an incident, it is useful to provide as much specific information as possible, including:
- Exact location of the incident
- Date and approximate time
- Description of the suspect if known
- Vehicle description and license plate if involved
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Description of stolen or damaged property
- Any photographs, video or other available evidence
Fargo Police Online Reporting
The Fargo Police Department’s citizen online reporting system can be used for certain non-emergency incidents. To use the system, the incident must have occurred within Fargo city limits and there must be no known suspect. An active or in-progress crime should not be reported through the online system.
Examples of incidents listed for online reporting include:
- Damage to a motor vehicle
- Garage burglary with no forced entry
- Gas drive-off
- Graffiti or vandalism
- Harassing or nuisance telephone calls
- Illegal dumping
- Lost identity documents
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Vehicle break-in
After an eligible online report is submitted, the system provides a case number and allows the reporting person to print a copy. Reports submitted online are reviewed by the department, and additional follow-up may occur if further investigation is needed.
Obtaining a Fargo Police Report
The Fargo Police Department Records Unit processes requests for incident crime reports and other police records. Open-record requests are governed by North Dakota public-record laws, subject to applicable legal exemptions.
For police reports, the department requires a completed Request for Police Report form when a request is submitted electronically. Providing complete identifying information helps staff locate the correct record.
Useful information may include:
- Incident or case number
- Date of the incident
- Approximate time
- Incident location
- Names of involved persons
- Type of report requested
- Requester contact information
Incident crime reports are generally charged at $0.25 per page. Additional labor charges may apply when producing a request takes more than one hour. Certain information may be redacted, including information protected by laws concerning juveniles, domestic violence victims or other protected records.
Fargo Police directs requests for traffic accident reports to the North Dakota Highway Patrol or the applicable state accident-report system rather than providing them through the ordinary incident-report process.
Property and Evidence
Property held by Fargo Police may include found property, recovered property, evidence connected to a criminal investigation and items held for safekeeping.
Property releases are handled by appointment because access to the property room is limited. To arrange a release or ask questions about property being held, call:
701-241-1422
When calling, have the police case number available. A person collecting property should also be prepared to provide identification and proof of ownership when applicable.
Found property is generally held for 60 days while attempts are made to identify and contact the lawful owner. Evidence required for an active case may remain in police custody until its release is authorized.
Victim Support Services
Fargo Police provides a Victim Services Specialist to help people who have reported an incident to law enforcement understand the investigative and court process. The service can provide case-related updates, answer questions and connect victims with community resources.
- Victim Services Specialist
- 105 25 St. N., Fargo, ND 58102
- Phone: 701-241-8291
The listed office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Victim Services Specialist is a mandated reporter and is not a confidential advocate.
Complaints About Fargo Police Employees
Citizen complaints about Fargo Police personnel are handled through the department’s Professional Accountability process. Complaints may be made in person or by telephone, and an on-duty supervisor can receive complaints when the regular accountability staff is unavailable.
Citizen complaint phone: 701-241-8175
A useful complaint should include as much specific information as possible, such as:
- Date and time
- Location
- Officer or employee identification if known
- Police case, citation or vehicle information
- Names of witnesses
- Available photographs or recordings
- A clear description of the conduct being reported
The complaint process is intended to review concerns fairly, document findings and determine whether department policy or performance issues require additional action.
Cass County Jail Information
The Fargo Police Department does not operate the county jail. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office operates the Cass County Jail, which is the primary county correctional facility serving Fargo and the surrounding county.
- Cass County Jail
- 450 34th St. S., Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: 701-271-2900
The Cass County Jail is staffed 24 hours a day. The county provides a current inmate list and information about bail, visitation, inmate messaging, deposits and other custody-related services.
Once an arrested person has been transferred into Cass County custody, questions about current inmate status, housing, visitation or release procedures should generally be directed to the Cass County correctional system rather than Fargo Police Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Fargo Police non-emergency number?
A: Call 701-235-4493 for immediate non-emergency police assistance. Call 911 for emergencies, crimes in progress or situations involving an immediate threat to life or safety.
Q: Where is the Fargo Police Department located?
A: Fargo Police Department Headquarters is at 105 25 St. N., Fargo, North Dakota 58102.
Q: Can I file a Fargo police report online?
A: Yes, for certain qualifying non-emergency incidents that occurred within Fargo city limits and do not involve a known suspect. Active or in-progress crimes should be reported directly to police.
Q: How do I obtain a Fargo police report?
A: Police incident-report requests are handled by the Fargo Police Records Unit. Electronic requests for police reports should include the department’s completed Request for Police Report form. Accident reports follow a separate state process.
Q: What county is the Fargo Police Department in?
A: The Fargo Police Department is in Cass County, North Dakota. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office operates the Cass County Jail separately from the city police department.