The Special Services Division includes the functions of Crime Prevention, Court Services, Property Management, Records Management, Parking Enforcement, and Training.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Office was created in 1980 and is staffed by one officer. The primary focus of the Crime Prevention Officer is community outreach and enhancing community awareness on preventing crime. The Crime Prevention Officer visits city schools and educates children about safety and laws that might affect them. These meetings create an opportunity to forge relationships with area youth and the community.

Another component of the Crime Prevention Office is the Neighborhood Watch, or "Block Watch" Program. With most cities facing higher crime rates and budget constraints, Block Watch Programs across the country serve to augment police personnel. Members learn how to recognize and report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and are encouraged to look out for one another.

The Crime Prevention Officer is responsible for community safety presentations, police department tours/visits, and solicitor and taxi cab permits. The Crime Prevention Officer manages the Community Watch Map, which offers a visual representation of crime reports taken in the city, as well as the department's social media accounts and the Bike's, Books and Badges Program. 

Property Room

One officer is assigned full time to the police department property room. The Property Room Officer is responsible for the intake and retention of evidence seized by officers, as well as a variety of other items that are turned in to the police department of safekeeping. 

Court Officer

One officer is assigned to court services. The Court Officer is responsible for the transport of prisoners, service of court paperwork and the safety of court personnel. The Court Officer is also present for initial court hearings that would normally require the charging officer to be present for, normally resulting in overtime due to off-shift hours.

Records Management

Two Records Clerks are assigned to data entry, filing, retrieving and storage of reports generated by the various divisions of the police department. The Records Department is responsible for maintaining all police department records including arrest reports, calls for service, incident reports and motor vehicle accident reports. 

Most reports are made available within 48 to 72 hours after initial complaint. It is suggested that you e-mail the Records Department for availability at records@findlayohio.gov or contact 419-424-7174.

Responses to Record Requests will be made during normal business hours, Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM excluding legal holidays.

Communications "Dispatch" Center

The Findlay Police Department Communications Center is the central answering point for public safety agencies within the City. The Center receives requests for emergency services from the public through an Enhanced 911 telephone system. In addition, non-emergency calls for police, fire and other departments are handled by the Center.

Communications Officers use a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to assist in call taking and dispatching operations. In 2020, the Findlay Police Department in partnership with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office updated to a new CAD and Report Management System (RMS). This system provides a quick and accurate way to document location and other incident information provided by the caller. It also helps track available/dispatched units and allows inter-agency communication via mobile data terminals. 

There are currently eleven full-time Communications Officers employed by the Findlay Police Department. All are certified Emergency Medical Dispatchers and are trained to assess medical calls and give pre-arrival instructions. They are also certified in FEMA’s National Incident Management System (NIMS). Several have also gone on to receive federal certification in Household Hazardous Materials, Multi-hazard Emergency Planning, Radiological Emergency Management and Basic Incident Command.

Parking Enforcement

Parking Enforcement is provided by one full time, civilian parking enforcement agent.