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Police - General FAQs

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1. How may I obtain a copy of a police report?

You can obtain a report through our online portal.

2. Where do I file a police report online?

You may file a police report through our online portal.

3. How can I get a copy of my arrest record?

Certified copies of your arrest record which include court dispositions are available from the Forsyth County Clerk of Court in Room 216, Hall of Justice, 200 N Main Street, Winston-Salem. The phone number is 336-779-6300. There is a fee for these records.

Arrest records maintained by the Winston-Salem Police Department are not certified and do not contain dispositions. These are available from the Records Division in the Public Safety Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m, Monday through Friday. There is no charge for an arrest record. These records contain only arrests made by Winston-Salem Police and Forsyth County Sheriffs Department. Our records should not be used for employment or other such purposes.

4. How can I get a copy of my accident or incident report?

If the incident or accident was investigated by the Winston-Salem Police Department, the public portion of the report may be obtained by contacting the Records Division in Room 130 at:
Public Safety Center
725 N Cherry Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge for a copy. To speed your request, please bring the incident number with you. The phone number is 336-773-7922.

Most reports may also be obtained online at Police-2-Citizen website.

5. What if I need more information than what the Public Record contains?

Requests for the investigative portions of a criminal incident report will be referred to the Public Safety Legal Advisor for review. The top portion of the Request for Release of Information form (Authorization for Release (PDF) must be completed and submitted to the Records Division for processing. Requests can take up to 14 days to process. To check on the status of your request, please contact the Records Division at 336-773-7922.

6. How do I get property back that was taken as evidence?

All property releases begin with the officer assigned to your case. Once the officer authorizes the transfer of property, the owner should call and confirm an appointment with Evidence Management Staff at 336-726-7285. The owner should bring photo identification and any related forms or applications to:

• 1200 Patterson Avenue
  Winston-Salem, NC 27101
• Wednesday through Thursday (excluding holidays)
  11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (by appointment only)
• The supervisor can be reached at 336-726-7270

7. Does Evidence Management sell or auction property? In particular, do you sell cars?

Evidence Management does not sell or auction any type of property.  People interested in items for sale or auction should refer to PropertyRoom.com.

8. I've been to court today and my case was dismissed. Can I have my property now?

In the event of a case dismissal, the case officer must first authorize the release of the property back to the owner before he/she will be able to retrieve that property.

9. I need to be fingerprinted for an employment application. Where can I go to do this?

Effective on 07/01/2021 you can be fingerprinted at:

• Alexander R. Beaty Public Training & Support Center
  1200 N. Patterson Avenue
  Winston-Salem, NC 27101
• Every Thursday by appointment only (except holidays)
  2 to 4 p.m.
• Please use this link WSPD Citizen Fingerprinting to schedule your appointment.

The fee is $10 per card, cash only. Photo identification (driver’s license, ID card, passport, etc.) must be presented.

10. I have an outstanding traffic ticket. Whom do I speak with to pay my ticket?

Parking tickets received within the City of Winston-Salem may be paid online. You will need your parking ticket number or license plate number to view your violation(s).

Questions

Need to ask a question? Call 336-727-8000.

Disputes

If you need to dispute a ticket, you can use the online appeal process and form, or call Parking Enforcement at 336-727-2104.

11. I would like to move to Winston-Salem. How can I find out about crime in a certain area?

You can view crimes maps at our online portal.

12. How do I get a gun permit?

Application for handgun permits takes place on the 2nd floor (main entrance) of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Administration Building located at 301 N Church Street in downtown Winston-Salem.

• Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
  8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

13. I would like to become a Winston-Salem Police Officer. Where do I find more information and an application?

See the Application Process page for additional information.

14. I would like to apply for a non-sworn position. Where can I get more information and apply?

Non-sworn postings are on the City of Winston-Salem's Job Opportunities page.

15. What is the Child Safety Seat Law?

According to the North Carolina Child Passenger Safety (CPS) law, children are required to be in a booster seat or some other type of child passenger restraint system until they reach eight years of age or 80 pounds, whichever comes first. Most drivers comply by using belt positioning booster seats, but other child restraints with harnesses rated for use over 40 pounds are legal to use as well.

16. Where can I get my child safety seat checked?

You can have child safety seats inspected at the Winston Mutual Building, 1225 E Fifth Street, by appointment only. Requests for child safety seat installations can be made by calling the Community Resources Unit directly at 336-773-7835. Please allow at least 30 minutes for the installation.

When calling to make an appointment, please be prepared to provide:

• Make/model of the child safety seat
• Serial number or the date of manufacture

At the time of the appointment, it is also is important to have:

• Owner's manual for the vehicle
• Owner's manual for the child safety seat

17. Where is the Forsyth County Jail?

The jail is located at 201 N Church Street in Winston-Salem.

18. Where is the Forsyth County Courthouse?

The Forsyth County Courthouse is located at 200 N Main Street in Winston-Salem.

19. Where is the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office?

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is located at 301 N Church Street in Winston-Salem.

20. Whom can I contact about my home alarm system and the city ordinance?

The False Alarm Reduction Unit can be reached at 336-773-7886.

21. Where can I find detailed information on a specific city ordinance?

City Ordinances can be found on the Municode website.

22. Where can I find detailed information on a specific state law or General Statute?

See the North Carolina General Assembly website.

23. What do I do if I suspect my identity has been stolen?

Contact the three credit reporting agencies and place a Fraud Alert on your credit files.

• Equifax
• Experian
• Transunion

You can also obtain a free copy of your credit report by visiting Annual Credit Report (the official site for your free annual credit report).

• Annual Credit Report

24. I believe that an e-mail I received is potentially a scam. Whom can I report this to?

Unwanted or deceptive email (spam) can be forwarded via email to the Federal Trade Commission.

25. What if someone has used my identity for employment purposes or to file a tax return?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for administering and enforcing tax laws. If you believe someone has assumed your identity to file federal Income Tax Returns, or to commit other tax fraud, call toll-free 800-829-0433. Victims of identity theft who are having trouble filing their returns should call the IRS Taxpayer Advocates Office, toll-free 877-777-4778.

26. Can you tell the age of the print or if it was left by a male or female?

No.

27. Are fingerprints fragile evidence?

Yes, the oils and perspiration are deposited on porous and non-porous surfaces. Basically they are sitting on top of surface and can be wiped or washed off and easily destroyed.

28. Are all items/surfaces conducive for latent prints?

No, many surfaces are too textured, rough, oily, dirty and rusty. Many surfaces are textured (appliances, dash boards, countertops, etc.) to conceal or prevent fingerprints that would require constant cleaning.

29. Are prints destroyed if the area is cleaned or secured prior to an officer arriving on the scene?

Most likely.

30. What are elimination prints?

In the event the technician is able to develop latent prints at the scene of a crime, victims or those that have most likely handled these items (with the exclusion of those under 16 years of age) will be requested to provide a set of elimination prints. These are rolled in ink at the scene by the technician within a couple of minutes. The elimination prints are then compared by an examiner to the lifted prints to eliminate the lifted prints as belonging to the victim.

31. What is DNA?

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (a person or living organism's genetic makeup).

32. How can DNA be left at a scene?

Touch DNA (items handled or touched if ungloved are potential sources) or through body fluids.

Drink cans or cigarette butts left at a scene:

These are potential sources of DNA; however, in property crime calls, the North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) does not process items for DNA due to cost and time and Forensic Services Division does not routinely seize these items for crimes of this nature. DNA testing is very costly and time consuming. Currently there is a backlog for testing for DNA at the NCSBI on major crimes. Not feasible in minor in possession (MIP), auto breaking and entering (B&E), larceny, HBL, etc.

33. If latent prints are developed in my case, can I contact Forensic Services Division to determine if they have been identified?

 No, if you have questions regarding your case, contact the investigating (case) officer.

34. How do I register or share my security camera locations with the Winston-Salem Police Department?

You can register and share your security camera locations through the Camera Registry Program.