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1. Do I have to pay for accident / offense reports?

Yes. Accident reports are $6. Offense reports, incident reports, call sheets, and crime statistics are 10 cents per page.

Police reports can be picked up in the Records Division of the Lancaster Police Department at:

100 Craig Shaw Memorial Parkway

Lancaster, TX 75134

*As of February 18, 2019, The Lancaster Police Department now reports all traffic crashes to the Texas Crash Reporting System. If you would like to purchase and accident report from the State of Texas please visit https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/.  

You can also purchase accident reports online at the Police Reports website.

For more information, call (972) 218-2700.

2. Do I have to register my burglar alarm?

Yes. Call (972) 218-2700. or Visit this page.

3. Will the Police Department do fingerprints for the public?

Yes. Fingerprints are done for a $10 charge. Fingerprints are done only on Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

4. Where do I file a complaint or a commendation regarding police department employees?

Citizens may file a complaint in person against a departmental employee. An on-duty supervisor is required to speak with any citizen regarding an employee. No employee has the authority to talk any citizen out of making a complaint against an employee.

Citizens may also commend an employee:

• In person
• By phone - (972) 218-2700
• By mail:
  Lancaster Police Department
  ATTN: Chief of Police
  100 Craig Shaw Memorial Parkway
  Lancaster, TX 75134

5. Where do I pay fines for citations? How many days to I have to take care of a citation?

If you were issued a citation, you have 10 days from the date the citation was issued to pay your fine or set a court date.

Court is held Mondays at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm for Class C cases.

For Code Enforcement cases, court is held on Thursday at 2:00 pm

All cases are heard at 220 W. Main St.

The law requires that you appear in court on your case. If you have been released on bond, your appearance date is set on the bond. If a complainant filed your case, you will be notified by mail of your court appearance.

If you have any questions regarding a citation issued to you, please contact the Lancaster Municipal Court at (972) 218-1334 or in person at:
Lancaster Municipal Court
220 W. Main St.
Lancaster, TX 75146

6. Who do I contact for employment with the Police Department?

Contact the Human Resources Department at (972) 275-1790. You may also contact the Police Department Recruiting Department at (972) 218-2700.

7. My car has been impounded. What should I do?

Vehicles are stored at 24-Hour Wrecker's impound facility. If you are the registered owner, you can go directly to the pound and show them proof of ownership in the form of a registration or title.

If you are not the registered owner, you can come by the Police Department 24/7 to obtain a release. You must show a valid drivers license and proof of insurance, and you will need to show an authorization from the registered owner to release the vehicle to you.

In cases where the owner is in a jail, that jail will have to be contacted and may be able to assist in getting a release signed.

A supervisor will check to ensure that all of the paperwork is satisfactory and will then authorize the vehicle release. At that time, you can go to the auto pound at 616 N. Jefferson and pay the fees.

24-Hour Wrecker can be contacted at (972) 227-5188.

8. Where is the Lancaster Jail located and does the Police Department accept checks or credit cards for payment of bonds in the jail?

The Lancaster Police Department contracts with the City of Desoto Jail. Individuals arrested by Lancaster Officers are transported to the Tri City Jail, located at
714 E. Beltline Road
DeSoto, TX 75115

Contact the Tri City Jail at (469) 658-3081.

The jail accepts cash only. There is an ATM located at the jail entrance.

9. Does the Police Department unlock vehicles?

The Police Department does not perform unlocking services, but the Fire Department does.

If there is no emergency, contact (972) 218-2711.

If there is an emergency, such as a child locked inside that cannot unlock the doors or the vehicle is running in a confined area (where carbon monoxide poisoning might be a concern), or if there is life-sustaining medication inside the vehicle that is needed immediately, you should call 9-1-1 and request an emergency unlock.

Be prepared to provide your name and phone number, location, and your vehicle's description so that we can find you in either case.

There are exceptions to this service regarding locations that are serviced and the number of responses that an individual may have made previously.

10. Will the Lancaster Police Department unlock my house if I lock myself out?

This is a service that the Fire Department will perform.

If there is no emergency, contact (972) 218-2711.

If there is a child locked inside that cannot allow access to the house or appliances that have been left on that may be a hazard, or there is life-sustaining medication inside the house that is needed immediately, call 9-1-1 for an emergency unlock.

11. Where do I obtain / renew my Texas driver license?

Texas driver licensing is handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. For driver license information, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License website.

12. What do I do I have become a victim of identity theft / fraud?

After you have filed your report and obtained a copy of your report, you should contact the three credit bureaus and put alerts on your account(s):

• Experian - (888) 397-3742
• Equifax - (800) 203-7843
• Trans Union - (800) 888-4213

13. Does the City of Lancaster have a curfew for minors?

Yes. Curfew Hours For Minors/Sec. 8.801 - A minor commits an offense if he/she remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment with the city during curfew hours. A parent and/or guardian commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours. The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises during curfew hours.

Curfew hours for minors are as follows:

Sunday - Thursday (11:00 pm - 6:00 am)
Saturday - Sunday (12:01 am - 6:00 am)
Monday - Friday (9:00 am - 2:30 pm - while school is in session)