Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, the Taylor Police Department has received many calls from community members with questions about police procedures, what to do about certain types of crime in their neighborhood, or just general questions about certain divisions. This section answers the most frequently asked questions.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Q: How can I get a copy of my police report?
A: Copies of incident reports and traffic accident reports may be obtained through the Records Bureau during business hours. The Records Bureau will be open from Tuesday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The change is being made in response to reduced staffing. Police reports are $11. Please allow time for processing the report—generally 72 hours—and call ahead to make sure the report has been processed before coming into the station. Records will not bill (invoice) for reports.
In order to obtain a copy of a report, the requestor’s name must appear in the report. Contact the Records Bureau at (734) 374-1535 for further details. Certain information, which is governed by state and federal privacy laws, is always redacted from the report, prior to copying. This may include, but is not limited to, phone numbers, witness information, suspect information (until a case is completely adjudicated), and medical data.
Accident Reports:
Traffic reports are available online at https://payments.clemis.org/extservices
Q: How can I get a copy of my criminal record?
A: Police clearances and background checks are conducted through the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Click here to access ICHAT.
If you need a more extensive search, please contact the Michigan State Police for a “Criminal Conviction History.” It must include the subject’s full name, race, sex and date of birth, or fingerprints and sent directly to the Michigan State Police. For further information, visit the Michigan State Police website.
Q: What is the procedure for posting bail?
A: Bail can be posted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 23rd District Court on Goddard Road just east of Telegraph Road. After hours, bond can be paid at the front desk of the Taylor Police Department with cash only.
Q: What are the hours of operation of the Taylor Police Jail?
A: The jail and the patrol division of the Police Department operate 24-hours a day.
Q: When and where will a person who has been arrested go to court?
A: Depending on the charge and the extent of the case, defendants awaiting court in Taylor could appear anywhere between 1 to 2 days notwithstanding exceptions. Arraignments are held once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The court arraignment location is determined by two factors: where a person was arrested and the type of charge filed against him/her. Please call the jail for more information.
Q: Is there visitation at the Taylor Police Jail?
A: The Taylor Police Jail does not accommodate visitation. The only exception is for clergy and attorney with proper credentials.
Q: Are prisoners cared for?
A: Prisoners are fed, have access to telephones and are provided whatever documented medications are provided to the jail facility.
Q: Will a defendant serve his/her sentence in Taylor?
A: No. We are only a holding facility. Defendants sentenced to serve jail time will be sent to another facility.
Q: Where will an arrestee be sent after he/she goes to court?
A: Generally, a defendant will be given some type of bond by the judge at arraignment. If unable to post that bond, the defendant will be sent to the Wayne County Jail to await his/her next court date until bond is posted.
Q: How can I obtain crime prevention information?
A: Crime prevention information, materials and requests for speakers can be done through the Investigative Services Division at (74) 374-1420.
Q: Where can I get information on Domestic Violence?
A: The Taylor Police Department has it’s own Domestic Violence Unit, including a detective, a prosecutor and a victim’s advocate. Further information can be obtained by calling (734) 374-1420.
Q: What are the curfew laws for the City of Taylor?
A: Under 12 years of age: 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
• Under 16 years of age: 12 a.m.-6 a.m.
• Minors are not allowed on public streets or in public places such as parks during curfew hours
• Exceptions include: 1) when the minor is accompanied by a parent or other family member who is at least 18 years of age; 2) when coming from a school, church, or civic function attended with parental permission (must be prepared to prove); or, 3) in the course of employment
• The minor can be petitioned to juvenile court for violating curfew
TRAFFIC-RELATED QUESTIONS:
Q: Where do I pay my traffic ticket?
A: All traffic fines are to be paid directly to the 23rd District Court. The Police Department WILL NOT accept citations or payments.
Q: My car was towed or impounded by the police. What do I need to do
to get it back?
A: In most cases vehicles are towed by the Taylor P.D. They can be contacted by calling:
734-287-6611. You will be required to pay towing charges for vehicles removed by
the City or one of its contracted agents.
The person picking up the vehicle must have a valid drivers license and must have valid proof of ownership in their possession. If the vehicle is recovered after being reported stolen or the vehicle has been in our custody for over 21 days, a Certificate of Title for the vehicle must be presented.
Valid proof of insurance for the vehicle to be picked up or, in cases where the vehicle will be towed, proof that the tow truck is properly insured will be required before the vehicle will be released.
If the vehicle was the target of a police investigation, a release from the assigned investigator must be sent to the impound lot.
If your vehicle is a recovered stolen auto, the vehicle must be removed and cleared from NCIC by the assigned detective before the vehicle can be released.
If this is a replated vehicle or if your license plate was seized by the Taylor Police, the tow company will provide the owner with a temporary paper plate at the time of pickup.
You must have valid identification with you when you come to pick up the auto. The ONLY identification accepted is a picture driver's license or a state-issued picture non-drivers identification card.
Q: I understand that the City holds auctions of seized and/or abandoned property. Where and when are they?
A: Auctions are held on an as-needed basis. Information on aunctions is typically advertised in the local newspapers, the marquee at the Sheridan Center and on this website.
Q: How do I contest a traffic citation?
A: Your citation will indicate on the back the procedure for contesting a ticket. You have 10 days to schedule a court date with the 23rd District Court if contesting a violation.
Q: I lost my traffic citation, what do I do?
A: Contact the 23rd District Court at (734) 374-1334. They will be able to find the original violation information.
Q: How do I contest a parking ticket?
A: Call the 23rd District Court to set up a court date.
Q: How do I find out if my vehicle has been towed?
A: If the vehicle was towed by the Taylor Police Department you can call (734) 287-6611. Your vehicle may also have been towed from private property by an independent towing service and the local police department should also be able to locate that information.
Q: What can be done about illegally parked or abandoned vehicles on my street?
A: You can call the police department and an officer can determine if the vehicle is in fact in violation. If so, a warning and/or violation can be issued to the registered owner.
Q: What should I do if I’ve been involved in a traffic accident?
A: A person should first ensure that no one is injured. If no one is injured, all parties (drivers) should exchange information: driver’s license numbers, vehicle license numbers, names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers (passengers if possible), and the names of the insurance companies of the drivers involved. The involved persons should also write down the location where the traffic accident happened (using cross street names or addresses and street names), and the time it occurred.
Any person involved in a traffic collision, that meets the criteria, can go to his/her local police station to make a report. The report should be made as soon as possible. The person reporting the collision needs to bring along the following information:
• The time and location (street address/cross streets) where the collision occurred.
• The license plate number of the vehicle he or she was driving when they were involved in the traffic collision.
• Driver’s license
• Insurance information (name of the insurance company and the policy number).
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all passengers in their vehicle
• If known, the license plate numbers, names, addresses, and phone numbers of all other involved drivers and passengers.
Q: What are the reporting requirements if I’ve been involved in a traffic collision?
A: traffic collision report will be taken by the Taylor Police Department when one of the following reporting criteria is met:
• A person involved in the traffic collision has been injured (complaining of pain is considered an injury) or dies.
• One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• One of the drivers has fled the location without stopping to exchange information or check on the welfare of the other parties involved.
• City property is involved (City vehicle, light post, signal light, etc.).
NUISANCE RELATED QUESTIONS:
Q: What can I do about loud noise from my neighbors?
A: It is a violation of the city’s code of ordinance to create a excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the peace and safety of others adjacent to a residential property within 65 feet. The noise ordinance covers the periods of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Acts such as horns, radios, musical instruments, shouting, animals, whistles/sirens, engine exhaust, car repairs, construction noises, powered equipment, etc. are common noises that the police are called out on. If the officer deems the noise constitutes a violation, the person responsible can be issued a violation.
Q: What can I do about barking dogs in my neighborhood?
A: If the issue is a constant nuisance, you can contact the Police Department and/or the Animal Warden.
Q: How can I report drug activity in my neighborhood?
A: Call the Taylor Police with information on drug activity and/or call the TPD Tipline at (734) 374-8737. The tip can then be forwarding to our narcotics investigators for follow-up.