Farmington New Hampshire Police Department

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.  If you don’t find the answer here, please feel free to call us at 603-755-2731.

Q:  What are your hours?

A:  We patrol and respond to call for service 24 hours a day.  Our business office is open Monday through Friday:  7:30am to 4pm.

Q: How do I contact an officer?

A.  For all EMERGENCIES, pick up the phone and dial 911.
For non-emergencies, please call the Farmington Police Department at 755-2231 and a dispatcher will direct your call or dispatch a Police Officer as needed. You may also come to the Police Station and report in person during regular business hours or use the police telephone located inside the police station lobby. This is a direct line to the dispatcher.

Q. Where is the department located?

A. The Farmington Police Department is located at 160 Main Street, Farmington, NH.

Q. Why do they ask so many question when I call the police?
A. Receiving dispatchers are trained to try to get as much information as possible to best determine the nature of the problem and its seriousness. On emergency calls, the dispatcher has already sent the information to the officer while asking additional questions.

Q. Can I make a police report at any time of day and do I need to make an appointment?
A.  The police department will respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to requests for police assistance.

Q. Can I make a police report over the telephone or does a police officer have to come to my house?
A.  Some reports can be taken over the telephone. The officer on duty can determine if your report can be handled over the telephone.

Q:   How do I obtain a copy of a police report?

A:    Please contact the Central Records Department prior to coming in for a copy of a report to make sure the report is completed and available for release. Most reports are available 5-7 days after the report is taken, however this can vary.

• You may obtain a copy of an official Accident Report that the officer completed if you were an operator of one of the vehicles in the accident, or the owner of a vehicle involved in the accident, or an injured party. Accident Reports may be obtained during regular business hours and only if no charges are pending against any driver and the investigation has been finished and closed out.
• Insurance companies requesting Accident Reports on behalf of their clients who were involved in the accident may receive the report if the company is authorized to write policies in the State of NH.
• Attorneys representing clients in a civil action who were involved in the accident are required to go through the State of New Hampshire to obtain a copy of the report.
• Accident Reports are considered part of a person’s driving history and are protected by law.
• You may obtain a copy of an Incident Report Form involving an incident in which an officer completed an official report. Keep in mind that you may only have information that pertains to you! There may be information contained in the report that is considered privileged information and not considered public information. This may only be release once the investigation has been closed out. Requests for information are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Records is open Mon-Friday 7:30am to 4pm, excluding holidays.
• There are administrative fees associated with many requests, so please contact the central records division for more information.

We’ll soon have a downloadable “Record Request Form”

Q. I’ve just been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Do I need to report it?
A.  If your are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident (no matter how minor) you must stop and identify yourself to the other driver(s) or property owner(s) involved. If the damage to the other vehicle(s)or property exceeds $1000.00, or if someone is injured (no matter how minor), or if one of the vehicles involved has fled the scene then you must report the accident.

Q:   I was in an accident and need the other persons insurance company. How do I get this information?

A:    If a police report was done, and if the other person has insurance, that information should be noted on the accident report. We will give you this information if you are the driver and/or owner of one of the vehicles involved in the accident.

Q:    I need my accident report case number for my insurance company. Can I get this?

A:    Yes. Give us a call and with your name and the date/location of the accident we should be able to get this information for you.

Q: How Do I obtain a Record Check?

A: Only you can request a copy of your Criminal/Motor Vehicle record. All criminal and motor vehicle record checks are done at the NH State Police Criminal Records Department on Hazen Dr. Concord, NH 271-2538. They are open M-F 8:15 to 4:15, require a $15.00 fee and they’re done while you wait. A photo ID is required to obtain the information.

Q: I was involved in an accident with a motorist who does not have insurance and the accident was not my fault. It doesn’t seem right that I have to pay my $500 deductible on my insurance. Is there anything I can do?

A: Yes. RSA 417-A:11, Conditions Under Which Collision Coverage Deductible Shall Not Apply, states “When an automobile insurance policy contains coverage for physical damage by reason of collision, the deductible amount of such coverage shall not apply if the damage is caused by an uninsured motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle which is uninsured within the definition of RSA 259:117, and the operator of the uninsured vehicle had been positively identified and is solely at fault.”

Q: How do I obtain a pistol permit?

A:  We provide pistol permits to eligible Farmington residents.  Come down during our business hours and ask for a copy of the pistol permit application (there is a downloadable copy here on our site).   There is a $10 fee to apply and permits are valid for 5 years from the permit holder’s date of birth.

Q:  I need to verify the VIN (vehicle identification number) on my vehicle. How can I do this?

A:  Bring your vehicle down to the PD sometime before your 20 day registration plates expires and we’ll be happy to do a VIN Verification.  VIN verifications can also be done by the Dept of Motor Vehicles, the State Police, or a garage licensed to do state inspections.

Q.  What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer?

• Stop your vehicle as far out of the lane of traffic as possible.
  Make sure you turn your flashers on, and motion to the officer that you are going to comply.
• Stay in your vehicle, and turn on the interior light.
  Good lighting assists good communication. Relax and remain in your vehicle. If you leave the vehicle, you subject yourself and the officer to the dangers of traffic.
• Keep your hands in view, preferably on the steering wheel.
  Wait for the officer to request your license, registration and proof of insurance.
• Police officer’s are trained to ask for identification first and provide an explanation second. First provide proper documentation. Then give the officer a chance to explain the reason you were stopped. Providing your documentation will simplify and speed the process. Remember, most often the officer is in uniform with the name tag displayed. You have the advantage of knowing with whom you are dealing. Extend the courtesy by providing the requested identification without argument.
• If you do not agree with the citation, or the officer’s demeanor, do not argue at the scene. All citizens have the right to question their citation before a magistrate. The Farmington Police Department has an internal affairs system in place to investigate citizen complaints.

 

Q.  Where do I go to pay my Parking Ticket/ Motor Vehicle Citation?
A.    Parking tickets can be paid by mail or in person at the police department. Cash is accepted at the PD.  If you receive a summons for a traffic offense turn your summons over and carefully read the instructions printed on the reverse side of your ticket. Follow these instructions carefully. You have 30 days from the date written on the front side of the ticket to respond to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Q:  How can I contest a motor vehicle summons?

A:  On the back of the pink copy that the officer gives you are several boxes that describe your options. Check the appropriate box and mail your ticket to the address on the back of the form. Your options include:

• Pleading guilty and paying the appropriate fine.
• Pleading nolo (no admittance of guilt) and pay the fine.
• Pleading not guilty and request a trial. The court will be notified of your request and a letter with a trial date will be mailed to the address you have on file with the NH Department of Motor Vehicles.

Q:    Help! I’m locked out of my car.

A:    The Farmington Police Department only performs MV lockouts in emergency situations, such as a child is locked in the car, or an animal is locked in the car on extreme temperatures days (hot or cold.) We cannot unlock vehicles with electric locks, as it could damage the entire mechanism. We can provide a number for a garage/tow company to perform the service. There is a fee charged by the garage for this.

Q:   Do I need a pistol permit to possess a pistol in my home?

A:  No. A permit is not required to possess a pistol in your home. What a pistol permit does is permit you to carry a loaded handgun concealed upon your person or in any vehicle. For more information refer to Chapter 159 of the NH Revised Statutes Annotated: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-XII-159.htm

Q:  Does my New Hampshire Resident Pistol Permit allow me to carry a concealed handgun in all 50 states?

A:   No. Some states recognize and accept a New Hampshire Pistol Permit while others do not. Reciprocity agreements are subject to change without notice. Anyone planning to travel to another state should confirm with that state that their permit will be accepted.

Q:   Does my New Hampshire Resident or Non-Resident Pistol Permit allow me to carry a handgun into a courthouse?

A:  No. Never.

Q:  Where can I get a lock for my weapon?

A:   Safety locks for your weapon are free for Farmington residents while supplies last. Otherwise, they can be purchased from department stores that carry hunting supplies and at gun shops.

Q.  What court does the Farmington Police use?
A.  Farmington Police cases are heard at the 7th Circuit Rochester District Court, 76 North Main Street Rochester, NH 03867.

Q.  Who can I talk to about speeding cars in my neighborhood?
A.  You can call and speak to any officer of the Farmington Police Department. The Chief or Lieutenant may, at his discretion, assign a patrol unit on selective enforcement in your neighborhood for a period of time. If your complaint is for an immediate problem, please call the police non-emergency number and talk to the officer on duty.

Q.  Can police radars work both ways coming and going away?
A.  The Farmington Police Department uses Doppler radar, both stationary and moving. Our stationary radar can pick up vehicles traveling towards the radar unit or going away. So don’t speed up after you pass an officer using radar or he/she may surprise you. We also have moving radar that monitors vehicles as they approach the patrol vehicle while moving on the roadways. Just remember to drive carefully and watch your speed

Q.  I found an old box of ammunition while cleaning out the attic. What should I do?
A.  If the ammunition is small caliber and in a box, or assorted cartridges, rifle ammo, contact a gun dealer for information about how to properly dispose of it.  The department does not accept ammunition for destruction.
If you find large caliber ammunition, grenades, or other unknown type of ammunition – DO NOT MOVE IT. Call the police to have it safely removed.

Q.  I return home and find my front door open.  Should I go in?
A.  NO. Go to a neighbor’s house and call the police. If you return home and notice anything suspicious, broken window, open window, alarm sounding, or anything that you do not feel comfortable with DON’T GO IN. You want to avoid any confrontation with a burglar.

Q.  Should I report suspicious activity in my neighborhood?
A.  The Farmington Police Department depends on citizens calling to report crimes or any suspicious activity remember you are our eyes and ears.  The dispatcher who takes your call will ask questions about the activity to determine its nature and ask for descriptions of the people involved. You may be asked if an officer or detective may contact you, but you may refuse.

Q.  What do I if I want to get a Hawkers/Peddlers Permit?
A.  Those wishing to solicit or peddle door-to-door must first obtain a Solicitors/Peddlers license. These are available from the Town Clerk.  Please take notice that all licenses issued shall be subject to the procedures, regulations and guidelines established by the Board of Selectmen and filed in the office of the Town Clerk.

Q.  There’s a bear/deer/moose in my back yard. What do I do?
A.  Please remember that Farmington is a rural community and as such is home to many wild animals. When housing being developed further and further into wooded areas, sightings of large wild animals are becoming more common. The most important thing to remember is not to panic or startle the animal. As a general rule, wild animals are more scared of humans then we are of them. The best course of action is to keep all children and pets inside your house and leave the animal alone. More often than not the animal will leave on its own accord and in a short time. To reduce the likelihood of wild animals appearing in your yard, remove or secure all potentially attractive food sources such as bird feeders, bee hives, trash, compost piles and domestic cat or dog food. Searching for food is the most common reason wild animals appear in populated areas. If the animal returns repeatedly you can contact the NH Fish and Game Department at 271-3361. If the animal is an immediate threat to people or livestock then you should contact the Farmington Police.
Isolated sightings of wild animals without any threatening or unusual behavior should not be reported to the police.

Q.  Can I obtain sex offender information?
A.  Yes, convicted sex offenders in the State of New Hampshire are required by law to register with the local law enforcement agency they reside in. The registry can be inspected by anyone. To view the registry of offenders living in Farmington, please call the PD at 755-2731 x14 to make an appointment.  The information is also available on the State of New Hampshire website titled ‘Registration of Criminal Offenders’ at http://www4.egov.nh.gov/nsor/.

Q.  Can I obtain sex offender information by e-mail?
A.  NO. All requests MUST be in person at the police station. Any person requesting such information must fill out a form Request For Information About Sex Offenders.

Q.  What can I do about harassing phone calls?
A.  Before an officer can begin an investigation, you must successfully trace a least two of those calls and document the trace. Information about how to do this is printed in your telephone book or call your telephone company for help. After the traces, you must call the telephone company as well before you can report it to the police. When you do call the police department, obtain a case number that can be furnished to the telephone company.

Caller ID is not the same thing as tracing a call. If you have a caller ID box, you still must work with the telephone company to trace the call. Caller ID may not be not admissible in court.