Police

Image of Chief Peterson
Chief’s Welcome
Welcome to the Forest Lake Police Department website. I hope you find it easy to use and educational.  Our department has a strong partnership with the citizens in our community. I have found that the more information we can provide to the citizens, the more they help us keep Forest Lake a safe and good place to live.  Please take time to explore our website and if you find anything that we could improve on, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Richard R. Peterson
Director of Public Safety

The Police Department provides law enforcement and public safety services for residents, including traffic control, crime investigation, documentation, and prevention.

Mission Statement
Our organization is dedicated to providing a safe and inviting environment through community partnerships and crime prevention.  We will strive to deliver superior services and instill the highest quality of life within our community.
  1. Crime Prevention
  2. Crime Statistics

Ask a Police Officer a question

 

Have a question for a Police Officer?  Email us your question and we'll be happy to answer them for you.

Email us your questions

Officer Recognition/ Citizen Complaint Form

Recognition/Complaint Form Link (PDF)

The primary goal of the Forest Lake Police Department is, as closely as possible, to approach the ideal condition of the City becoming free from crime, disorder and unrest.  Although this ideal remains unachieved, the department’s purpose is to enforce the laws in a fair and impartial manner while recognizing the statutory and judicial limitations of our authority as police officers and by always respecting and honoring the constitutional rights of all persons.  The Department also recognizes that it is not our role to legislate, to render legal judgments or to punish.

Firearm Permit to Purchase/Transfer

Permit to Purchase Application

This Permit to Purchase application is for Forest Lake residents who reside within Washington County.  Applications must be filled out completely and can be turned in M-F 8-4:30 at the police department.  If you have a Forest Lake mailing address but live within Anoka or Chisago County, you need to go through your county’s law enforcement agency.