Community Services Division

The Community Services Division is the most visible part of the Moorhead Police Department and often the first point of contact for many residents. Our team consists of sworn officers supervised by Sergeants and a Captain.

Community-Oriented Policing

Patrol officers are committed to building strong partnerships within the community through the department’s philosophy of community-oriented policing. To support this approach, officers are assigned to areas of the city called beats.

The city is divided into four beats, allowing officers to become familiar with the unique issues and concerns in their assigned areas. This personalized approach helps officers address problems more effectively.
Due to the city’s rapid growth, these beats have expanded significantly in size, creating new challenges and opportunities for proactive policing.

 

 

Emergency Response and Crime Prevention

Patrol officers are the first responders to emergencies, including accidents, crimes in progress, and urgent calls for assistance. They provide immediate support, secure scenes, and coordinate with other units to ensure public safety.

In addition to responding to incidents, patrol officers actively work to prevent crime through visibility, traffic enforcement, and community engagement. Their presence helps deter criminal activity and promotes a safer environment for all residents.

Moorhead Police Beat Map

School safety is a top priority for the Moorhead Police Department. While research shows schools are generally safe, concerns about violence and security remain for families and communities nationwide. The SRO program provides a proactive approach to improve school safety and build trust between law enforcement and students.

SROs serve as liaisons between the police department and the school district. They work closely with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to provide guidance, address safety concerns, and create a positive learning environment. Their goal is to ensure schools remain safe, welcoming places for students to learn and grow.

Meet Our School Resource Officers

Officer Andy Werk
Moorhead High School

Officer Jessica Horn
Horizon Middle School

Officer Beth Jutting
Elementary Schools and Career Academy 

For more than 30 years, the Moorhead Police Department’s K9 program has been an integral part of our mission to protect and serve. This enduring commitment reflects the vital role our canine teams play in law enforcement and our dedication to maintaining a program that sets a high standard of excellence.


Police canines provide invaluable support to our officers. K9 teams assist with patrol duties across the city and are instrumental in locating suspects, evidence, and narcotics.


As part of our community-oriented approach, K9 officers regularly conduct public demonstrations and train alongside other regional teams to ensure peak performance. Each team is certified annually through the National Police Canine Association (NPCA) in both patrol and narcotics detection.


Training is rigorous and ongoing. Handlers are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of training per month to maintain certification, but our teams consistently exceed this standard. They also participate in joint training sessions with regional partners, reinforcing their reputation as some of the most skilled and dedicated teams in the region.

The purpose of the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team is to provide a highly trained unit of law enforcement personnel to respond to tactical and high-risk incidents.
Red River Valley SWAT is a multi-jurisdictional team made up of professionals from:

  • City of Moorhead Police Department
  • Cass County Sheriff’s Office
  • Clay County Sheriff’s Office
  • City of Fargo Police Department
  • City of West Fargo Police Department
  • North Dakota State University Police Department

The team primarily responds to incidents in Cass and Clay counties but is available to other jurisdictions through mutual aid when needed.

 

 

Tactical Operations Unit

Often referred to as the “SWAT Team,” this unit is designed to:

  • Provide tactical support to law enforcement agencies
  • Execute high-risk search and arrest warrants
  • Respond to barricaded suspects
  • Conduct building or rural searches for suspects or missing persons
  • Handle hostage situations or any incident posing elevated danger to the public

Members are selected through a competitive process that evaluates physical fitness, safety awareness, and teamwork skills. The Moorhead Police Department currently has six positions assigned to this unit, including one supervisor.

 

 

SWAT Negotiations Unit

This unit consists of nine trained negotiators, including one Lieutenant who serves as team leader. Negotiators receive advanced training in communication and crisis resolution and work closely with tactical teams to ensure safe outcomes.
The primary goal is to provide a safe solution during critical incidents by listening and guiding everyone involved toward a peaceful resolution. The Moorhead Police Department currently has two members assigned to this unit.

 

 

Bomb Unit

The Bomb Unit consists of eight members, including one from the Moorhead Police Department. These specialists are highly trained in handling and diffusing explosive and incendiary devices. The unit uses two state-of-the-art robots to assist in a variety of situations and supports all four SWAT divisions.

 

 

Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS)

Medical support is provided by six paramedics—three from Sanford Life Flight and three from F-M Ambulance—under the direction of a Sanford emergency physician. TEMS has been part of SWAT since its inception and provides on-site medical care for officers, suspects, hostages, and bystanders.
Medics train and deploy with SWAT and have specialized training in:

The Moorhead Police Department’s Bike Patrol Unit was created in 1996 to provide flexible, community-focused policing beyond traditional squad cars. Officers on bikes are able to patrol areas that are harder to reach by vehicle, deter crime, and build positive connections with residents. The unit is part of our Community Services Division and includes specially trained officers who complete rigorous certification through the International Police Mountain Biking Association (IPMBA). Bike Patrol plays an important role in community policing, allowing officers to respond quickly and engage with the public in a more approachable way.

The Moorhead Police Department has officers specially trained and certified as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). These officers are highly skilled in identifying drivers impaired by drugs other than alcohol. The DRE program is a nationally recognized initiative that requires extensive training and certification through the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

What do DREs do?

  • Conduct standardized evaluations to determine impairment
  • Identify the category of drugs causing impairment
  • Assist in impaired driving investigations where alcohol is not the primary factor
  • Provide expert testimony in court when needed

Why is this important?
Drug-impaired driving poses a serious risk to public safety. Unlike alcohol impairment, drug impairment can be harder to detect without specialized training. DREs use a 12-step evaluation process that includes medical assessments, eye examinations, and psychophysical tests to ensure accurate and reliable results.

The DRE program strengthens our commitment to traffic safety and helps reduce drug-related crashes in the community.

Federal immigration enforcement is carried out by agencies such as ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, not local law enforcement. Community members are encouraged to stay informed about their rights and seek assistance from trusted local resources if needed.

Learn more by downloading this Facts Sheet.

Contact Us

Police Department
911 11th St. N.
Moorhead, MN 56560

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

218.299.5120

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