Below are some Frequently Asked Questions asked of Police Officers and Support Staff of the Holland Police Department.

If you have a question not listed here, please  E-mail us at:  police@cityofholland.com

When should I call 9-1-1?

  • In any emergency! Or for any assistance or:  crime in progress; to report a missing person; a theft; a domestic problem; etc.  A good rule is: "When in doubt as to if you should call 911, then CALL!" Get to know your Team Area Coordinators (TAC) to help with family or neighbor problems too. Call for them at 355-1140.
  • Non-emergency Toll Free: 1-800-249-0911 -- 24 hours a day -7 days a week. 
    When should I use the non-emergency number?
    • When there is no immediate danger to life or property
    • Animal Control Calls (no threat to personal safety)
    • Miscellaneous crimes (not in progress) of any type of incident
    • Informational requests related to police or fire activity.

What are the curfew times for specific age groups?

  • The City of Holland has its own curfew hours. They are: Twelve (12) years and younger, 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.; and for thirteen (13) through sixteen (16) years, midnight until 6:00 a.m. For surrounding areas covered by the state statute, curfew hours are for fifteen (15) and under, Midnight until 6:00 a.m.

What kind of SUV's do you drive?

  • The Chevrolet Tahoe is what you see us in. It is a special police performance package which is no longer manufactured. In the meantime, we drive the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. And the reason we went to Fords in the late 1990's, was because Chevy ceased production (economic reasons) of the Caprice police car in 1996.

Where can I get a dog license?

Do I have to register my bicycle?

  • Yes. Holland City ordinance requires residents to register bicycles. Registration is free and done at the HPD lobby. Registering you bicycle helps identify stolen or lost bikes and also provides an element of deterrence. When you register, please bring your personal information, bike serial number, bike make/model, wheel size, color, # of speeds, etc.

What is the noise ordinance for the City of Holland?

  • Generally, if a person is disturbed by any noise which may be heard from more than 50 (fifty) feet away, the person responsible may be fined with a civil infraction. An Officer may choose to charge a person with a misdemeanor if the offense is more severe or a repeat problem.

What is the Holland City law for garage sales at private homes?

  • Holland City administrative interpretation on garage sales:

    A garage/yard sale is customary and incidental to a residential use. Continuous or frequent garage/yard sales are not. A home that has more than three garage/yard sales annually, or a garage/yard sale that exceeds four consecutive days, is a violation of the section 39-210 (h).   

    Basically this means that people are allowed to use their residential properties to have a garage/yard sale, but more than 3 per year, or for more than 4 consecutive days is considered a business, and no longer just a residential garage/yard sale.   Visit the City of Holland's  Environmental Health Department Website  for contact information.

I have a scanner and wanted to enter your frequency. Can you give that to me?

  • Although the great majority of people who monitor police and fire radio traffic are law abiding citizens, some are not. Many techno-savvy criminal persons would use such information for illegal purposes. It is legal for a person with a Michigan State Police issued permit to monitor police frequencies in a vehicle. Please refer to the State Statute MCL 750.508. We are not too anxious to give out our radio frequencies, as you can understand. Public listings or directories do exist, but you will have to find them yourself. Sorry, hope you understand.

There is a car parked in my neighbor's yard  with no license plate on it and it has been sitting there for over a month, what is the law on this?

  • Sec. 18-256. Parking or storing upon private premises.
    No person shall park or store, or permit or suffer to be parked or stored, any dismantled, partially dismantled or inoperable vehicle or parts thereof upon any private premises within the city. No person shall be deemed to have violated this section if a notice required under section 18-257, unless such person fails to remove the vehicle or parts thereof within ten (10) days after receiving the notice. (Ord. No. 512, Ord. No. 877)      Definition of an inoperable motor vehicle: Any motor vehicles which by reason of dismantling, disrepair or other cause whatsoever is incapable of being propelled under its own power, or which does not display or have affixed thereto current license plates or tabs as required by the state for the purpose of operating such vehicle upon public roads or streets.

Can a police officer do a routine traffic stop, and search your vehicle just on the odor of marijuana?

  • Good question. I am sure you are asking about a "friend" who had this situation. Court rulings have allowed for officers to search a motor vehicle without a warrant or consent based in part on the exigent circumstances exception allowed for motor vehicles. Due to the mobility of a vehicle, an officer may base such a search on his training and experience on what marijuana smells like, and any number of related circumstances. Be sure to consult an attorney whenever faced with charges.

What are the policies for firing air-guns in city limits? Are there any areas where this is allowed?

  • State law mandates that a person UNDER 18 years of age cannot leave their own private property with an air gun (BB or pellet) unless accompanied by an adult. The City of Holland provides (City Ordinance 20-4) that no firearm, air gun, or other dangerous weapon capable of expelling a projectile may be fired into or within the City. Thus, unless a person  fires such a weapon indoors, it is illegal to do so in the City limits. 

What are the policies/procedures on the new Michigan concealed weapons permit law?

How can I get a copy of a police report?

  • Copies of police reports or personal local records checks may be made in person or by mail with forms located at our Records Bureau page. 

What are the hours of operation for the police department?

  • HPD's lobby is now opened for business from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week. You may take care of parking tickets, "Repair & Report" tickets, some civil infractions, written warnings, etc., during these hours. 

When do you hold the police auctions?

  • Auction held at the Holland Police Department are held twice a year, usually in April and October. Items auctioned off include: unclaimed bicycles, computer equipment, furniture, unclaimed evidence items, etc. Also, HPD auctions used equipment from other City departments which may include: lawn equipment, vehicles, furniture, office equipment, etc. Look for auction dates and times in the local newspapers.

What is the minimum age requirement for becoming a police officer in Holland?

  • While the legal minimum age is 18 years, new officer hires are typically two or four-year college graduates. Please refer to our "Employment Requirements" for more info. 

Will HPD check on my house while I am on vacation?

  • Yes we will. Simply call 355-1100 with your address, name, and departure/return dates and HPD will check on your property once a week.

Why aren't Holland City police officers ever on the north side of Holland?

  • The city limits of Holland are basically the River Ave. bridge and Chicago Drive. Go HERE for an interactive map of Holland City. Anything north of these points is the jurisdiction of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.

Does a School Resource Officer just sit in a school?

  • Our schools are very active and each officer has a responsibility to the school, students and staff of that school to interact with the school and surrounding schools. The School Resource Officer offers crime prevention and intervention programs, classroom lectures, counseling, and conferences with students and parents. They are evaluated on their interaction with school staff and students.

If I need to speak to an Officer right away, do I call HPD?

  • No, call 911. Even if not an in-progress matter, the 911 dispatchers are the means by which an Officer will be sent to speak with you. If the matter is not urgent or you wish to contact a specific Officer, call 355-1100.

Does Holland Police have a gang unit?

  • Not per se. HPD does, however, have several Officers who are considered expert in the field of gangs. HPD has two Detectives assigned to the Macatawa Area Gang Task Force. Occasionally, HPD participates with other law enforcement agencies and probation departments in "sweeps" of known gang members homes and hang-outs.

Who do I call for an animal complaint?

  • Call 911.  An Officer will take your complaint and typically forward the matter to HPD's  full-time Animal Control Officer,  Ofc. Larry Dalman. He works Mon- Fri 7a.m. till 3p.m. Ofc. Larry Dalman may be reached at 355-1712.

My friends and I have an ongoing argument about the individuals who monitor traffic from the air. How do those pre-measured speed zones work? I know that there is a computer in the aircraft, which tells the operator the speed, but how is it determined?

  • Timing!  The "Bears in the Air" actually time how long it takes a vehicle to travel from one mark on the road to the other. Then they convert the time to the average speed required for the vehicle to travel that distance. If above the posted limit, then they may radio ground units to stop the particular offender and ticket the driver.

Can a police officer pull over two cars at once?

  • Hey, it's not easy, but it can be done! Although very rare, Officers may indeed pull over two cars at once if the circumstances necessitate doing so. 

Are your license plate tabs good until the end of the month or on your birth date only?

  • Registrations expire on the DATE of the registered owners date of birth. There are a few exceptions. For example, trailer plates are now non-expiring.

Can a city cop pull me over on the freeway and issue a ticket?

  • Yes. If a portion of a freeway, like I-196 south of Holland, lies WITHIN the city limits, then City Police Officers may patrol and enforce traffic laws upon it. And most City Officers are deputized for the County in which they work, sometimes allowing City Officers to cite even outside their city limits.

I can't find any info in state or city laws prohibiting tint on the front windows of your vehicle.

  • Essentially, for Michigan-registered vehicles,  you cannot have ANY tinting lower than four inches on the windshield or front side windows of your car. There are medically-based exceptions to this law.  Go here for the complete statute: MCL 257.709

Marker lights on the side of Motor Vehicles -Are Blue Marker lights that are on steady ( not flashing or rotating) OK or not? And if not what code covers this?

  • Good question, as many young persons these days are "tricking-out" their cars with after-market lighting. In a nutshell, the ONLY light colors allowed to emit from the front of a vehicle are WHITE and AMBER.  From the back of a vehicle, ONLY colors allowed area RED and AMBER. Except for back-up lights and the plate light which must be WHITE.  Read the following Michigan Motor Vehicle Code statutes for details:   257.696 , 257.697 , 257.698  and  257.699 . 

Can a city cop issue tickets in a parking lot of a mall?

  • A police officer may INDEED issue parking citations on private property in the case of  HANDICAPPED parking violations. FIRE LANE violations may also be enforced. ALSO, certain misdemeanor traffic offences may also be enforced in an area open to the general public, such as a mall parking lot.

What is the law for license plate placement?

I want special traffic enforcement in my neighborhood, who do I call?

  • HPD routinely honors requests from citizens if they have problems with speeders, careless driving, etc. For any traffic problems you may have, contact Sgt. Mark Bos, Traffic Unit Supervisor, 355-1122.

Is there a distance on placing a no right turn sign from the intersection?

  • There are guidelines as to the placement of traffic signs. The statute, 257.612, reads in part: ...(5) A sign prohibiting a turn on a red signal as provided in subsection (1)(c)( ii) shall be located above or adjacent to the traffic control signal or as close as possible to the point where the turn is made, or at both locations, so that 1 or more of the signs are visible to a driver intending to turn, at the point where the turn is made. An additional sign may be used at the far side of the intersection in the direct line of vision of the turning driver....

Is it really legal for a driver to make a cellular phone call about another driver, and have the police appear at the accused person's home hours later? On top of that, a week later the accused receives a ticket?

  • The above is entirely possible, but not common. Motorist cell phone call complaints about other motorists are, however, becoming more frequent. Suspicions about drunk driving or careless/reckless driving are the most common. It is possible for an Officer to investigate an offense based on a witness account, and to later issue a ticket or warrant for the offender.

Do I have to stop for an oncoming stopped school bus on a divided boulevard (i.e.; east 16th Street)?

  • If the roadway is divided by some physical barrier (i.e.; raised median, guardrails, concrete barriers) then oncoming traffic IS NOT required to stop for a "red stop" school bus loading/unloading.

How far can a person drive in the left turn only lane to get to an intersection? Do the entrance lines for shifting into the left lane mean shift to the left turn lane at that point or any time up to the break?

  • There is no distance listed in the vehicle code. Yes, the "entrance line" into the left turn, or center turn lane is at the point the lines end. Our opinion at HPD is that if a driver enters the left turn lane and passes by several drives and even passes other cars waiting to enter the turn lane, then the driver may well be cited for "Improper Lane Use", a civil infraction.

Can I make a left-hand turn on a red light at one of those "Michigan turns" on the highway?

  • Yes, after a complete stop and you have determined that there is no on-coming traffic.

Is it illegal to make a right hand turn in front of a bus?

  • If the red lights are on? Not per se. But be sure that the turn is well before the front of the bus. Always be cautious around children!

Do police officers have traffic ticket quotas?

  • NO! A popular misconception, there is no "Quota" for tickets at HPD. Some officers write more than others, and there is a Traffic Unit whose primary responsibility is traffic law enforcement.

If I am locked out of my car, whom do I call?

  • Unless an emergency (child locked in the car), you may call a locksmith or a wrecker service to open the door for you. There will be a service charge for this, usually about $40.

Can I make a left-hand turn onto a one-way street at a red light?

  • Generally, if you want to turn left ONTO a one-way street, while at a red light, you may do so. You may also turn onto a one-way street while on a two-way street at a red light. But, as always, be aware of any signage which may prohibit this.

What is the new seat belt law?

  • This is answered best at the Michigan Legislature Website
  • Basically: Child under age 4 must be in car seat anywhere in the car; under 16 years -over 3years, belted anywhere in the car; 16 years and over, belted in front seat only. Driver will get the ticket for violations by under 16 year-old offender.
  • Any un-belted passenger 16 years and older may get their OWN ticket.

At an intersection with a two way stop, if a vehicle wanting to make a left-hand turn arrived before a vehicle wanting to go straight through the intersection and cross traffic clears, who has the right-of-way.

  • In this case, the issue is "first-come-first-go".  State law does not say that the driver "going strait through" has the right of way. However, the driver turning may want to show a bit more caution before turning in front of oncoming vehicles.

What are the statutes on careless driving infractions?

  • 257.626b Careless or negligent operation of vehicle as civil infraction. M.S.A. 9.2326(2)
  • Sec. 626b. A person who operates a vehicle upon a highway or a frozen public lake, stream, or pond or other place open to the general public including an area designated for the parking of vehicles in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness, is responsible for a civil infraction (fine only).

If I am pulled over for speeding, do I have the right to ask the officer to see the radar gun?

  • You may ask to see it however there is no legal requirement for the officer to show it to you, or to even have the speed locked in. Some police radar guns do not even have the capability to lock in speeds. This is determined by the MICHIGAN SPEED MEASUREMENT TASK FORCE OF MICHIGAN.

Can a minor get a ticket if caught driving on private property? If so or if not, what are the rules for driving without your license in private property? Can a police officer pull me over or give me a ticket if I am in or on private property?

  • Regarding the private party issue generally, licensed or un-licensed, if the private property area is open to the general public (like a shopping mall lot) then citations may be issued. An Officer MAY indeed stop you on private property to investigate a misdemeanor offense like OWI or  a hit-and-run suspect. But if the property is NOT open to the public then it MAY not be required that a person be licensed to drive a car upon such property.

What is the difference between a freeway, highway and expressway?

  • 257.20 “Highway or street” defined. [M.S.A. 9.1820 ] Sec. 20. “Highway or street” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
  • 257.18a “Freeway” defined. [M.S.A. 9.1818(1) ] Sec. 18a. “Freeway” means a divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control of access and with all crossroads separated in grade from pavements for through traffic.

I was rear ended and the other driver was in a hurry to leave. I had over 2,000.00 of damage to my car, is it mandatory to file a police report at the scene of a property damage accident?

  • ANY crash on a public roadway involving damage or injury must be reported on an official police crash report. BUT, if the accident occurred on private property or in a public parking lot, it may not be required to have a police crash report done. In the City of Holland, private property crash reports  may be filled out by the drivers themselves for insurance coverage purposes.