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You are
here : Living
: Law
Enforcement & Crime Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
What are
procedures for filing charges?
When should I call 911?
Where can I get
fingerprinted?
How do I apply for a license to carry a concealed weapon?
How do I
get a copy of a police report or accident report?
What can I do about speeding in my neighborhood?
I am going on vacation, how can I protect my house?
I want to have my
child's car seat checked to make sure it fits properly in my
car. Who do I contact?
Who should I call and complain about a code violation?
What Are
Procedures for Filing Charges?
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When an offense occurs (a
crime is committed) it should be reported by the
complainant (victim) to the police department.
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An officer (s) will meet with you
or respond to the scene and write an offense report.
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The offense report will be
forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) where
it will be assigned to an investigator.
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Complainant must report to CID and
sign an affidavit of non-consent and possibly give statements.
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Complainant may be accompanied by an
officer or investigator to go before the judge and sign a
complaint if probable cause exists. This takes place after
an investigation.
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A warrant of arrest or a summons is then
issued for the suspect by the judge.
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If there are no suspects then an ongoing
investigation will be conducted. If further information,
witnesses or leads become known by the complainant, it should be
passed on to investigators immediately.
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Once the suspect or actor is arrested on the
warrant then he or she will be taken before the judge and advised of
their rights and a bond set.
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Class (C)
Misdemeanor the judge will set a bond or fine on suspect depending
on the plea.
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On Class A-B Misdemeanor the
judge will set a bond on suspect. Upon posting bail they are to be
released.
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On Felony offenses a bond
will be set.
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If defendant / suspect is unable
to post bail he or she will be transferred to the county jail.
Hopefully, these procedures
will help you to understand how this portion of the
criminal justice system works. Feel free to contact the
Cleveland Police Department if you need any further
assistance at (281) 592-2621.
You should call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate, life-threatening
emergency, to report a crime or not suspicious activity.
The Cleveland Police Department has its own 9-1-1
dispatching center at the police station. Your 9-1-1
call is received by a professionally trained dispatch
operator. The caller's information comes up on a screen and
includes the caller's phone number, address, and the name of
the resident. Dispatchers will need to confirm the
information because it is not always accurate. If you
call from a cellular phone, you may need to provide your
location and telephone number because that information may
not be available. The dispatcher will then enter the
information into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and
will then send the appropriate emergency units.
Remember: Stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you
to hang up! Especially when you're calling from a cell
phone! Too many times people hang up the phone before the
dispatcher has all the information, and valuable time is
wasted when they have to call the person back!
How Do I Use 9-1-1?
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At a
business or other location you may need to dial an
outside line before dialing 9-1-1.
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At a pay
telephone, dialing 9-1-1 does not require a coin.
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When
using a cellular phone, you must specify that you are
using such and be prepared to give your location,
including the city and town.
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To
access TTY or TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf), press
the space bar until a response is received.
The Cleveland Police Department provides fingerprinting services
for most applicants with the exception of juveniles and
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) applicants.
Fingerprinting is available by appointment on Mondays and
Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Call 281-592-2621.
To be eligible to apply for a Texas Concealed
Handgun License (CHL), you must be a U.S. citizen at least
21 years of age
(18 years of age if you qualify as a honorably discharged
veteran or active member of the United States armed forces
including a member or veteran of the reserves or national
guard), and have the following;
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Your Social
Security Number
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Your Texas
Drivers License or Texas Identification Card
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Valid Credit
Card (Visa, Master Card or American Express)
To apply, visit
the
Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Licensing
Service website. Or call the Texas DPS office at
1-800-224-5744.
The Cleveland Police Department provides involved parties copies of
police reports and traffic accident reports for incidents
that occurred within the city limits of Cleveland.
Accident reports can be picked up between 5 to 10 days after
the report has been files at a cost of $3.00. You may
request a copy of a report by coming by the police
department in person.
Attorneys, insurance companies, or other agencies representing an
involved party in a Cleveland Police case, can mail requests to
the Cleveland Police Department, Records Division at 226
Peach St., Cleveland, TX 77327. Please place your request on
your business letterhead, and include as much information
pertaining to the date and time, nature of the case, and
involved parties as you may have. Please include a statement
that states your interest in the case. You may call the
Cleveland Police Department to find out the fee associated with
your request at (281) 592-2621.
Texas
State Law regulates who may receive copies of cases.
In some instances, your copy may be edited to withhold
certain information pending disposition of the case or for
other reasons.
Contact the Cleveland Police Department
(281) 592-2621, during business hours.
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Don't
publicize your trip until after you return.
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Don't
leave large amounts of cash or jewelry in your home.
Consider a safe deposit box, if appropriate.
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Contact
the Cleveland Police Department's House Watch
program. They will check your house daily to assist you in keeping your
property safe while you're gone (apartments/condos
excluded). Call (281) 592-2621 for more
information
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Consider
using a trusted friend or relative as a house sitter
while you're gone.
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Check
and lock all doors and windows.
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Make
arrangements for someone to: Pick up your newspaper and
mail daily; change the position of the drapes and pick
up debris in the yard at least every other day; watch
your house (preferably a close neighbor) and have them
park their car in your driveway; and mow the lawn on
your regular schedule.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a web
site that lists all inspection sites in the
state.
You should contact
code enforcement for the following violations:
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Garbage,
trash, and accumulated debris
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Noxious
weeds
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Abandoned vehicles (on private property)
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Unlicensed and inoperative vehicles stored on private
property
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Commercial vehicles parked in a residential zone
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Structures built within setbacks
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Signs
placed in the right-of-way
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Illegal
signs on private and public property
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Fences
over 6 ft in residential zones
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Fences
over 4 ft in residential front yards
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Fences
in disrepair
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Tree
branches hanging low over sidewalks or streets,
vegetation growing onto or over sidewalks
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Construction or grading without the proper permit
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Vacant
buildings open to unauthorized entry
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Basketball hoops on the sidewalk or street
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Illegal
operation of business in a residential zone
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Businesses operating without a business license or
proper permits
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Activities not in compliance with current zoning
regulations
You can file a complaint by phone (281-592-2621)
You do NOT contact the Police Department or dial 9-1-1 for
the above-listed complaints
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