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1. How do I arrange for a civil standby?

A civil standby is completed when a person who is the respondent in a no-contact order wishes to remove basic items from a residence where he or she is not permitted to be by a court order. To arrange for a civil standby, please call our dispatch center at 360-428-3211. An Officer will be dispatched to assist and will contact both parties to set up a mutually agreeable time for the standby to occur. At the designated time, the Officer will remain at the residence while the respondent removes basic items. If you are the respondent in a no-contact order, do not contact the petitioner to set up a civil standby yourself; you may be subject to criminal charges for violating the order.

2. How do the Anacortes Police Department Use of Force polices align with national recommendations?

8 can’t wait is an organization advocating for law enforcement agencies across the country to change existing policies and adopt policies that are in line with the organization’s recommendations, which they believe will significantly reduce deadly force encounters between law enforcement agencies and citizens https://8cantwait.org/

The eight most important policy recommendations recommended by the 8 can’t wait organization are policies that the Anacortes Police Department has already had in place and have been practicing between 14 and 20+ years depending on the respective policy, long before advocates recommended changes due to the current social climate. The Anacortes Police Department has been performing police services using these policies and procedures for years because it is the responsible thing to do, not because it is now what everyone has finally come to realize should be occurring. Commitment to our department policies is validated during accreditation inspection cycles that happen every four years. In 2019 we completed our fourth accreditation cycle.

City of Anacortes 8 Can’t Wait

3. I have a Landlord-Tenant issue. Can the police help me?

The Anacortes Police Department cannot assist with Landlord-Tenant Act issues, to include a person not paying rent, a person failing to leave a rental property they have been living in after the lease has expired, and a person refusing to allow their landlord into a rented residence. Additionally, the Anacortes Police Department does not serve Landlord-Tenant Act related paperwork, such as eviction notices. Read more information regarding the Landlord-Tenant Act. The Skagit County Sheriff (SCSO) is responsible for civil Landlord-Tenant Act issues, to include evictions; you may view contact information for the SCSO Civil Division on their website.

4. What should I do about a violation of a parenting plan?

Parenting plan violations are civil in nature and the Anacortes Police Department typically does not enforce violations of them. You may wish to speak to your attorney about parenting plan violations that occur. If you believe that your child is in danger, however, please contact us by dialing 911. For more information, please contact the Police Department at 360-428-3211.

5. I am the victim of a telephone scam. What can I do?

If you have been the victim of a telephone scam and did not provide any personal information or money to the caller, you may contact your phone company to have the offending phone number blocked. You may also report the incident to federal authorities by Filing a Complaint with the IC3. If you have provided personal information or money to the phone scammer, please contact our dispatch center at 360-428-3211, and an Officer will contact you about the issue. 

6. How do I obtain a no-contact order against someone?

Police Officers do not issue no-contact orders; Judges do. You must go to the Skagit County District Court and complete a petition for an order. Court appearances will follow after the petition is submitted and before a no-contact order is issued. Contact information for that court is: 

600 S 3rd Street

Mount Vernon, WA

Phone: 360-336-9313

7. I saw something suspicious or witnessed a crime taking place. How soon should I contact the police?

Many people are hesitant to call the police because they feel that their complaint may not be important enough. If you elect to contact the police about a matter, it is best to do so as soon as possible so an Officer may be dispatched to investigate the issue. Often times, when a person delays calling the police, evidence is no longer available at the crime scene or the suspects or suspicious persons are long gone and unable to be contacted by the police. If in doubt, call the police immediately. It is our job to respond to calls. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 360-428-3211.

8. I am interested in employment as a Police Officer. How do I begin the application process?

The City of Anacortes continuously recruits for Police Officers with the assistance of Public Safety Testing. Please view the Public Safety Testing website for additional information or call 866-447-3911.