Welcome to Ferndale's
The City of Ferndale is proud to employ highly qualified, responsive law enforcement professionals. The Ferndale Police Department, led by Police Chief Dennis Emmi, encompasses:
Ferndale Police Department
Ferndale City Hall
300 E. Nine Mile Rd.
Ferndale, MI 48220
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: (248) 546-2525 (Option #6)
The Ferndale Police Department provides uniforms, name badges, and bullet resistant vests. Auxiliary members are required to purchase a department-approved firearm and all leather gear (belts, holsters, belt keepers and cuff case). Other equipment includes whistles, flashlights, rain hat covers, and radio holsters. Equipment costs can exceed $1,500.
State Fair pedestrian crosswalk, Memorial Day Parade directing traffic and security at the parade, Dream Cruise traffic and crowd control, Art Fair & Pride Fair, Halloween Patrol, Evidence searches at crime scenes (assisting the Detective Bureau), Surveillance Projects (capacity of observation and reporting via radio), Many other city functions
Have a high school diploma, Be subjected to a background check, Have no criminal record, Pass an oral board interview, Approval and acceptance by the command staff of the Ferndale Police Department
No! The Police Department clearly identifies our responsibility in resolving complaints.
Click to download a print-ready brochure.
We strive to meet your expectations in quality professional standards. We ensure that your trust in law enforcement is not misplaced and that we will resolve these problems to the best of our ability.
No. Your complaint may be resolved immediately and informally by speaking with a department employee/supervisor. If informal resolution cannot be achieved, a formal complaint will be filed. This will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Please keep in mind that the amount of time it takes to resolve a formal complaint may depend on the complexity of the issue.
Yes, without question. The Police Department recognizes your crucial role in helping us to learn, adapt, and improve our services for all members of our diverse community.
Yes. Ferndale Police officers are trained in both deescalation and conflict resolution. This is something we believe in, and is a requirement of the rigorous accreditation process we are working to complete. We also ensure that our policy maintains its effectiveness by:
Training/educating staff;
Ensuring that it's fully understood by employees;
Supervising and overseeing for violations; and
Taking corrective action and discipline for violations.
Ferndale Police Department officers are forbidden from using carotid restraints (chokeholds, strangleholds, etc.), "hog-tying" restraints, transporting civilians in uncomfortable positions (such as face-down in a vehicle), and other similar invasive restraint techniques. These forbidden techniques are all outlined in our policy, above.
Yes. Ferndale Police officers are not just permitted but required to intervene if they witness another officer using excessive force. Furthermore, any officer who witnesses use of excessive force and fails to intervene will be reprimanded.
This depends on the situation. In most cases, yes, if they are able to.
A good example: an officer is searching a dark yard for a suspect accused of committing a violent crime. The officer likely will have a weapon drawn as a means of protection without announcing that he or she is doing so. Once the suspect is located, the officer will announce themselves and their weapon and deliver commands.
Anytime an officer draws a pistol, rifle, or taser, whether they use the weapon or not, it is considered use of force and is required to be documented per Department policy.
Yes, 100%. The Ferndale Police Department has zero tolerance for abusive and discriminatory behavior, and we spend considerable resources having officers thoroughly vetted by background investigators before hire.
Use of force is dynamic and fluid, allowing for a continuum of responses that flow up and down in tune with a subject's actions. This is a newer, more modern way of approaching use-of-force education, and is a move away from the older "if X occurs, you are authorized to perform Y" style. We train officers to recognize that all options are on the table at all times, including talking, getting some distance, and finding cover. Our officers are often in fast-moving, potentially violent encounters; a fluid continuum provides options for law enforcement professionals who are forced to make incredibly rapid decisions.
Every use of force gets reviewed on at least 3-4 different levels:
Review by immediate supervisors
Review by Shift Lieutenant
Review by Use of Force Command Officer
Review by the Patrol Division Captain
Every incident is added into a electronic personnel file. The Police Chief personally reviews each entry and engages with the officer in question. The Ferndale Police
Department is relatively small, comparatively, and top-to-bottom supervision and interaction are constant.
The Ferndale Police Department works incredibly hard to set and enforce smart, effective policies and provide rigorous education and training. If you have ideas about policies, procedures, or improvements, the best place to start is by enrolling in a citizen police academy. Get to know our officers, our current policies, why we created them, and how they work. Not all police departments are alike, and we're happy to show you the inner workings of ours. The best place to start a conversation is from a place of involvement and education, so let's work together to start that conversation.
A YES answer to any of the following questions would indicate an emergency situation:
Is there an injury or possible injury?
Is a crime being committed or about to be committed?
Is someone asking for help?
Is the suspect still at the scene?
Is there threat of impending danger or major damage?
Is there a hazardous condition which would cause injury or death to citizens or their property and will not go away unless action is taken?
Will immediate response prevent possible injury or damage or result in the apprehension of the perpetrator(s)?
It is best to describe from the top down.
Race: White, black, Spanish, etc.
Sex: Male, female
Age: 18 to 20 years old, 30 to 40 years old, etc.
Clothing: Type, color, hat, coat, shirt, pants, shoes, etc.
Height: 5 foot 8 to 5 foot 10, etc.
Weight: 140 to 150 pounds, etc.
Hair: Color, style, length, beard, mustache, etc.
Build: Fat, thin, large, petite, medium, etc.
Other: Scars, tattoos, moles, etc.
When describing a vehicle, attempt to supply as much information as possible that would allow the responding officers to distinguish this vehicle from the many others. Again, describe from the top down.
License number (the most important)
Color (two-tone, three-tone)
Body style (two door, four door, van, pick-up truck, etc.)
Make (Ford, Chrysler, Pontiac, Honda, etc.)
Year (If not known, then describe newer or older)
Any outstanding features (damage, rust, clean, dirty, antenna, bumper sticker, sunroof, vanity plate, writing on sides, etc.)
Stay calm.
Don't get excited.
Don't wait for someone else to call.
Tell the person who answers the phone exactly what is wrong, like this:... "There was just a car accident in front of my house...".
Tell the person who answers the phone the exact address of where the emergency is located, including the apartment number if you live in an apartment.
Tell the person who answers the phone the phone number from which you are calling.
Tell the person who answers the phone your name.
The Ferndale Police Department does not require an alarm permit.
When reporting a crime or emergency to the Ferndale Police Department the following information is needed:
Your name and address.
The type of crime or emergency.
The exact location of the situation.
The description of the suspect and the suspect's vehicle if one is used.
The direction of flight.
The time of occurrence.
If a weapon was used, and if so what type.
The above seven requested items are very important, however do not wait to call until you can answer all of them. Call as soon as you observe the crime or emergency, then attempt to obtain the answers to numbers four through seven (above).
Complete and submit the Traffic Change Request Form.
A stranger is entering your neighbor's house or yard while they're away.
Peddlers offer merchandise at ridiculously low prices.
Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gasoline from a vehicle.
Persons entering or leaving a business after hours.
Sounds of breaking glass, gun shots, screaming, car alarms or anything suggestive of foul play.
Persons loitering near schools, parks or secluded areas in your neighborhood.
Open or broken windows at a closed business or residence.
Vehicles being loaded with valuables even if they appear to be legitimate looking commercial vehicles.
Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons--especially if seen at an unusual hour.
Access the Ferndale Police Department Witness Statement.
Dennis Emmi has over twenty years of experience with the Department, having climbed the ranks as Police Service Aide, Patrol Officer, Juvenile Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and his current role as Captain. He will be the Ferndale Police Department’s eighteenth Chief of Police.
In addition to his positions within the Department, Emmi has served in many other roles, including:
Michigan Army National Guard
Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team
Team Commander of the Honor Guard
SWAT Instructor
Field Training Officer
He also carries forth many Professional Memberships, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Association Chiefs of Police, the Southeast Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Oakland County Association of Chiefs of Police.
Emmi is also a life-long resident of the Ferndale community, having graduated from Ferndale High School. His parents have also served the City in a multitude of roles.
City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
