Public Safety

A state-of-the-art Public Safety Building was opened in 2008.  The building houses the Police and Communications Departments and serves as headquarters for the City’s Emergency Operations Committee.  The two-story facility features a secured prisoner drop-off area, five holding cells, a 3,300-square-foot training room, communications center, conference room and fitness area.  The project was funded with money from the half-cent capital improvement sales tax.

Police Department
​The City of Washington is served by 28 capable, full time police officers in the Washington Police Department.  A reserve force that varies in size also assists the Department. They have three full time civilian staff that comprise the main office. The Washington Police Department recently underwent rigorous state certification inspections and is now a State Certified law enforcement agency. The Department is proud to serve its citizens, and is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest law enforcement standards.

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Communications Division
​The Washington Communications Division operates a 24-hour dispatching center and is located within the Public Safety Building.  Ten dispatchers and a Director serve the WCD and is the  911 answering point for the City of Washington.  They provide emergency dispatching for the Washington Police Department, Washington Fire Department and the Washington Area Ambulance District.  Another service that is provided by the Washington Communications Division and the City of Washington is CodeRED.  CodeRED is an emergency notification system that will send out  notifications of severe weather or important information the area residents via, email, text message or a phone call.  To learn more, or to sign up for CodeRED you may visit www.ci.washington.mo.us and look for the CodeRED icon at the bottom of the page or call 636-390-1050.

Fire Department
The Washington Volunteer Fire Department serves Washington with 72 firefighters. Approximately 60% of all major industries in Washington are equipped with sprinkler systems. Fire protection is also provided for plants and residents outside of the city limits. Within the city limits, the fire classification is Class 3; outside of the city limits, the classification can be between a Class 3 and a Class 7.

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Ambulance District
The Washington Area Ambulance District provides pre-hospital medical care and transport to a 62 square mile area, including the City of Washington and surrounding area to the East, West and South. Three advanced life support ambulances are staffed 24/7 with a staff of 20 full time and 22 part time EMTs and Paramedics. Ambulances are equipped with appropriate equipment and staff is trained to care for patients of all ages, sizes, and medical problems. Emergency and routine ambulance service is provided to this area, with mutual aid provided to and received from bordering Ambulance Districts (as needed). The District is not a City of Washington department, but rather a separate entity governed by a six member elected Board.