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1. When should I call 911?

911 is the phone number that should be dialed whenever police, fire or ambulance services are needed for an emergency. When you dial 911, your address and phone number will show up on a monitor in the police dispatch center if you are calling from a landline. The police dispatcher answers your call and will transfer your call to the Fire Department or Paramedics if required. To contact the police for non-emergent matters you may call 626-960-1955.

2. What is considered an “emergency”?

An emergency is something that must be stopped, prevented, or remedied at the immediate time because it threatens life, physical well-being, or property. If you’re unsure if your situation is an emergency, call 911 anyway. If the dispatcher determines that your call is not considered an emergency call, you will be asked to phone back on the business line.

This keeps 911 free for other emergencies.

Noise & Parking Complaints

Loud music complaints, parking complaints, barking dog complaints, etc., should not be called in on 911.

3. What will the dispatcher ask when you call 911?

You should have the following information ready for the dispatcher:

• Is anyone injured
• Location of the problem
• Nature of the problem
• Suspect description
• Time element
• Vehicle description

When giving information, do not edit. Give all the information you have.

4. What if I dial 911 by mistake?

Do not hang up! Before you hang up, be sure to tell the dispatcher that you have dialed 911 by mistake and that you do not need emergency help!

This is particularly important if you dial from a business phone with several phone lines. Anytime the police dispatcher receives a 911 "hang-up", the caller must be contacted to be sure that no actual emergency exists. If your business has dozens or even hundreds of phone lines, it may be impossible for the dispatcher to determine, who if anyone, needs help, and an officer must then be dispatched to the address.

5. Are pay phones any different?

You may dial 911 for an emergency at any payphone without needing any coins. The phone number and location of the payphone will show up on the police dispatch monitor.

6. Should I program my telephone to dial 911?

No!!! While it is not against the law, we strongly advise against doing this. Automatic dialing of 911 can result in accidental calls to the 911 dispatcher. Speed dialing can malfunction, and stop working, which would delay precious response time. In addition, if you are training your children to press a one-button speed call number in an emergency, they may not know how to call for help from another phone.

7. What about calling 911 from a cellular phone?

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is encouraging citizens with cellular phones to report drunk or reckless drivers, accidents, or other emergencies by dialing 911. You will be connected directly to CHP dispatch, and the call will be routed to the proper jurisdiction if necessary. The types of calls that CHP considers "emergencies" include:

• Crimes-in-progress
• Drunk or reckless driving
• Fires
• Medical emergencies
• Stranded drivers in need of assistance
• Traffic accidents or other road hazards

8. What if I don’t speak English?

911 allows emergency calls to be transferred to an interpreter who can interpret other languages. Interpretation is accessible from every telephone, including home and business phones, coin-operated, and phones equipped with Tele-communication Device for the Deaf (TDD). In addition, the police department has several bilingual dispatchers.

9. Why do dispatchers ask so many questions?

It’s important that we attempt to get as much information as possible so that our officers are better prepared to handle any type of call. For example, if you are calling to report a suspicious vehicle the dispatcher will want to know what kind of vehicle it is, what color it is, a license plate number, and also if it’s occupied. The more information we have the better the chances we have of finding the vehicle or individuals and possibly preventing a crime.

10. How are calls prioritized?

Calls are prioritized depending on the level of urgency. If we receive a noise complaint regarding music and we receive a call of an injury traffic collision, we will dispatch the traffic collision before the noise complaint even if the noise complaint comes in first. We make every effort to handle calls as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, emergencies do arise and we must handle those first.

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1. What are the requirements to become a Police Officer?

For more information on the requirements to become a police officer, including citizenship and education requirements, read the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) document (PDF).

2. What is the selection process for Peace Officers in California?

Please visit the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) website. 

3. Is the City of Baldwin Park currently hiring police officers?

For employment opportunities within the Baldwin Park Police Department, please visit the City of Baldwin Park Human Resources Department.

For further information, please contact Acting Sergeant Frank Real.

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1. I was just released from County Jail and I didn’t get all of my property back; how can I get it back?

All oversized items and large quantities of cash in your possession at the time of arrest/booking are stored at the Baldwin Park Police Department. You would need to inquire about your stored property and make an appointment.

2. What happened to my jewelry I was wearing when I was arrested?

Any small items you had when you were arrested are placed in your prisoner property bag and are returned to you when you are released from the jail. If you are transferred to court, LA County jail, or to another Police Department’s jail, your property follows you. Check with the last facility you were released from.

3. My friend was arrested; can I pick up his/her property?

If your friend gives you written authorization to pick up his/her safekeeping property you can make an appointment with the Police Technician.

4. I came during business hours to retrieve my property and was told to come back later; why?

At times the Police Technician can be away from their desk, in a meeting, in the field, away at training, or out sick. By making an appointment, you will not have to make repeat visits in an attempt to pick up your property.

To make an appointment call Phone Number: 626-960-1955 ext 234 

5. Items were taken from me as evidence; how do I retrieve them?

The Police Technician can only release items taken as evidence with the investigating detective’s approval. You would need to contact the detective handling your case.  Detective Contact Information

6. What information do you need from me to find my property?

The fastest way to locate your property is to provide the Police Technician with the Baldwin Park Police Department’s case number, for example, Department Report DR10-12345. If you don’t have your case number the Police Technician can locate the case number with your first and last name and date of birth.

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1. Where can I get a “fix-it ticket” signed off?

A "fix-it ticket" can be signed off at the:
Baldwin Park Police Department
14403 E Pacific Avenue
Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Come in Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:30 am and 6 pm. We will gladly inspect the vehicle and, if the problem is one that we can sign off, we will. There is a $15 vehicle inspection fee. A citation may be signed off by any police officer in California. It does not require the inspection to be done by the issuing agency.

2. What do I do with my “fix-it ticket” after it is signed off?

You take the "fix-it ticket" back to the courthouse that has jurisdiction over the issuing law enforcement agency.

3. How do I contest a parking citation?

On the back of the parking citation, you will find instructions that will assist you in filing a response if you feel you were incorrectly cited.

4. How do I contest a traffic citation?

On the face of the citation, you will find the address of the traffic court, as well as the date and time you are scheduled to appear. You can appear in court to contest your traffic citation.

5. Who do I call to report on-going traffic problems?

If the problem is happening right now, you may call the Police Communications Center at our non-emergency line, 626-960-1955 and a Parking or Traffic Officer will be dispatched as soon as possible.

6. How do I obtain a driver’s license?

Drivers’ licenses are obtained through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 800-777-0133 or visit California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

7. What is considered proper or valid identification?

Proper identification consists of:

• Current California Department of Motor Vehicles identification card
• Current California driver’s license
• Current military identification card
• Current out-of-state drivers’ license
• Current passport
• VISA

8. My car was impounded, what do I do?

Vehicles may be impounded for several reasons. The registered owner must bring proper identification, and current registration to the Police Department if your vehicle was impounded as a result of:

• Being abandoned
• The driver was arrested
• Expired or suspended registration
• A one-day storage as a result of an unlicensed driver driving the vehicle
• A traffic hazard

Bring all Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) paperwork showing current registration or a one-day moving pass. This must be done Monday through Friday, between 9:30 am and 6 pm. If the vehicle is currently registered, a release will be issued for a fee of $245. If the vehicle was reported stolen, there is no fee. After you have received a vehicle release, arrangements can be made with the tow company to pay their fees and have the vehicle released.

Additional Information

For additional information regarding the release of a vehicle under these circumstances, please contact the Records Bureau at 626-960-1955. If your vehicle was impounded because it was used in a crime or is evidence of a crime, contact the Tow Coordinator at 626-960-1955, ext. 429. Be sure to have your license plate number or case number available so you can be referred to the detective handling the case. If your vehicle was impounded because it was being operated by a driver driving on a suspended license, it will be held for 30 days (per California Vehicle Code Section 14602.6).

Requirements for a Vehicle Release

In order to get a vehicle release, you must meet all of the following requirements:

1. The registered owner must be present with a valid form of identification
2. The vehicle registration must be current or you must possess a Deposit of Fees receipt issued by the DMV and a temporary moving permit
3. You must pay the release fee of $245.

Determination of Release

If the registered owner is unlicensed, he/she must be accompanied by a licensed driver. However, on any storage or impound one can request a hearing to determine the validity of storage (per California Vehicle Code Section 22852). At the hearing, a determination will be made on the validity of the storage, and/or the 30-day hold status.

If the hearing determines the storage to be unlawful, the storing agency will be responsible for the towing and storage charges. Your failure to request or attend a scheduled hearing shall satisfy the Post-Storage Validity requirements (per California Vehicle Code Section 22852). Hearings are conducted Monday through Friday at 12:45 pm in the front lobby of the police department. Appointments are not needed. The registered owner is still responsible for the release fee regardless if the vehicle was released early from a 30-day hold.

9. What does California Vehicle Code (CVC) 14601.1 mean?

This is the California Vehicle Code (CVC) section for driving a vehicle with a suspended license. 14601.1(a) CVC - No person shall drive a motor vehicle when his or her driving privilege is suspended or revoked for any reason other than those listed in Section 14601, 14601.2, or 14601.5, if the person so driving has knowledge of the suspension or revocation. Knowledge shall be conclusively presumed if mailed notice has been given by the department to the person pursuant to Section 13106. The presumption established by this subdivision is a presumption affecting the burden of proof.

10. Someone was driving my vehicle and it was impounded. How can I find out where the vehicle is located and retrieve my property?

You may find out where your vehicle is being stored by calling the Police Department Records Bureau at 626-960-1955. Please have your license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), or police report number available when you call.

11. I am the registered owner of an impounded vehicle and unable to come to the Police Department to obtain a release form. How can I get my car?

If circumstances arise and the registered owner is unable to come to the Police Department to obtain a release form, the registered owner may (with written, notarized authorization, and proper identification) authorize someone else with a valid California drivers’ license to pick up the vehicle.

12. The registered owner of the vehicle is in jail/prison and wants to release the vehicle and/or property located in the vehicle to me. What should I do?

If the registered owner is in jail/prison, the inmate and a Sheriff’s Custody Deputy must sign a written letter authorizing the vehicle to be released to a California (CA) licensed designee. This signed form, along with current registration, and a valid CA drivers’ license, must be brought to the Police Department to obtain a release form.

13. I was involved in a traffic collision. How long does it take to get a copy of the police report?

To obtain a copy of the collision report, contact the Records Bureau at 626-960-1955. It may take five to ten working days for a collision report to be ready for release. Collisions involving major injuries may take longer due to extensive follow-up investigations.

14. I was involved in a traffic collision, but I don’t agree with the findings and/or information in the police report. What can I do?

You may make a supplemental report at the front counter of the police department or speak to and officer about your concerns:
14403 E Pacific Avenue
Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Come between Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 am and 6:00 pm. Your supplemental report will be attached to the original report written by the officer and your insurance company will take it from there.

15. There was a major collision on the street near my house. The police had the street closed for hours. Why did it take so long for them to re-open the street?

Major and fatal traffic collisions are some of the most detailed police reports written. Highly accurate measurements are taken of the roadway, vehicles, and evidence located in the area. These measurements are later used to create scale drawings and diagrams of the collision scene. This information can be used to reconstruct the collision to help determine which party was at fault and why the collision occurred.

16. Why do you have checkpoints?

The traffic bureau’s goal is to reduce the number and severity of impaired driver related traffic collisions, to increase Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests, and to educate the public on the tragic costs of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Sobriety/Drivers’ License Checkpoints are visible and effective methods of reducing the incidence of drinking drivers. These enforcement efforts are publicized to deter people from driving impaired and to encourage sober designated drivers. Remember, it only takes one impaired driver to change the lives of many.