Police

Community Events

Merriam Police officers are proud to be part of our community and enjoy connecting with residents at local events. Be sure to stop by and say hello! In addition to attending many City events, they host engaging programs like Coffee with a Cop, safety classes, and the annual National Night Out. These efforts help build strong relationships, trust, and a safer community for everyone.

Police Events

Internship Program

The City of Merriam’s Police Internship Program offers hands-on experience supporting law enforcement operations and serving the community with integrity and professionalism. Interns assist with administrative tasks, court duties, and special projects, while gaining exposure to police procedures through ride-alongs and training opportunities. This program provides a unique chance to learn, contribute, and promote city values in a dynamic public safety environment. 

Learn More

Citizens Police Academy

Offered each fall, the Citizens Police Academy is a free 10-week program designed to strengthen community relationships and provide an inside look at law enforcement. Held on Wednesday evenings at the Merriam Police Department, participants explore topics like traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, defensive tactics, and more, including hands-on demonstrations and facility tours. This unique experience offers behind-the-scenes access to police operations, the crime lab, dispatch center, and jail.

Learn More and Apply

Neighborhood Meetings 

The Merriam Police Department believes crime prevention is a team effort. We encourage the cooperation of police and the residents to work together. Police and residents can work together to help identify specific crime problems in the area in which they live. If you want to set up a neighborhood meeting, contact the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560.

Ride-Along Application

Dear Ride-Along applicant,

Thank you for expressing interest in our Ride-Along Program. The program was implemented so people can ride with a police officer and experience first hand what the officer's job duties and activities are on a daily basis. I hope that you enjoy this experience and that it contributes to a greater public awareness about our job as "Public Servants."

Below is a Request and Release Form. This form must be filled out and e-signed prior to scheduling a Ride-Along. Due to liability issues, the police department does not allow any Ride-Along participants to carry any weapon. A Ride-Along participant will not become involved in any situation with the police officer, unless specifically directed by the officer to do so. The Ride-Along Program is designed for participants to observe police work.

The applicant must fill out the form completely.

Sincerely,

Chief Darren McLaughlin

Apply Now

You can make a police report for incidents or accidents that happen within Merriam city limits.  

File a Report

• Call 9-1-1 or contact non-emergency dispatch at 913-782-0720. An officer will come to your location to take your report if it's within Merriam city limits. 
• Come to the Merriam Police Department where a police officer or community service officer can take your report. 
• Call the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560. A police officer or community service officer will determine whether you need to come to the department.

Reporting Car Accidents

It's Kansas law to file an accident report immediately if:

• You're a driver involved in a crash resulting in injury or death of any person.
• Total property damage is $1,000 or more. 

Minor Accidents: If there are no injuries, or property damage is less than $1,000, the dispatcher may have you come to the station to complete your report. Make sure you have to your registration, drivers license, and proof of insurance for your vehicle. 

Copies of Police or Accident Report

You can get a copy of a report at the Merriam Police Department. Individual reports are usually accessible within 5 to 7 business days from the date of issue. To retrieve a copy of your report, you will be asked to provide the following: 

• Name 
• Address 
• Phone Number 
• Case Number 

You may be charged a small fee for the copy. There is no charge for victims to receive a copy of an incident report. 

Fees for Reports

• DVD's and Videos - $15 plus direct staff service costs
• DUI Reports - 25 cents per page
• Research Fee - Direct staff costs; minimum $25
• Digital Photos - Free
• All Other Reports - $5

Find Car Accident Reports Online

You can find car accident reports online using your last name, date of accident, and report number. There is a $5 fee for this service. 

Find Accident Report

Please call 913-322-5560 or email police@merriam.org for more information.

If you've been the victim of a crime, it's important to report it. We know that it’s sometimes not easy to come forward, but if no one reports a crime, the criminal is free to commit more crime, damaging more communities and people. 

How do I report a crime? 

• Call 9-1-1 if it's an emergency, lives are in danger, or a crime is in progress.
• For non-emergencies, stop by the Merriam Police Department to report the crime or call the Johnson County Sheriff's Dispatch at 913-782-0720 to have an officer come to your location. 

You’ll receive a case number that you can use to keep up-to-date about your case and to use if you file an insurance claim. 

Reporting a Crime Anonymously

Please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS if you would like to report a crime anonymously. You won't be required to give your name, sign any kind of statement, or appear in court – all you have to do is provide information about the crime.

The hotline is run by Kansas City Crime Commission, a completely independent organization dedicated to making the Kansas City metropolitan area a safer, more secure place to live, do business and visit, by supporting law-enforcement and justice agencies and their causes.

Pet Services and Animal Ordinances

We partner with Humane Society of Greater Kansas City to provide our community with lost and found pet services.

Lost a pet in Merriam? Contact Humane Society of Greater Kansas City at 913-596-1000 and complete the Lost Pet form to alert us about your missing pet.

Report Lost Pet

Found a dog in Merriam? Contact the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560 during business hours or dispatch at 913-782-0720 after hours.

The Merriam Police Department isn't accepting any stray cats for impound, but officers can help you attempt to locate the owner of a lost cat.

Merriam Animal Ordinances 

• Residents are not allowed to have more than three dogs or three cats. 
• All dogs and cats six months or older must be licensed. Licenses are valid for one year and run concurrent with the dates of your rabies vaccination. License applications are available and must be filled out and returned along with proper licensing fee and a copy of the current rabies vaccination receipt from your veterinarian's office. Please call 913-322-5500 for more information on pet registration or license renewal.
• All dogs must be walked on a leash. This includes while in residential neighborhoods, City parks, on apartment common grounds, along public walking trails, etc.
• Animals may not be left unattended in vehicles for extended periods of time. The vehicle must be properly ventilated and the animal must have water. 
• Dogs must be confined to the owner/keeper’s yard, unless the owner/keeper is outside, monitoring the animal on the property. 
• Dogs that are maintained outdoors must have access to proper shelter, food, and water. 
• It's unlawful for any person to fail to clean up after their animal, if the animal defecates on public property or property owned by another person. 
• Neighbors may sign citations for excessive barking, which is disturbing their peace. 
• Per the City’s leash law, it's unlawful for any animal to run uncontrolled or to disturb persons by chasing, charging, barking, growling, or biting. The leash law doesn't apply to cats. 

You may be issued a ticket if you don't comply with these ordinances. A complete list of Merriam's animal ordinances can be found in chapter eight of Merriam's Municipal Code. 

For more information regarding the City’s animal ordinances, contact the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560, or for questions regarding the licensing procedure contact the City Clerks’ Office at 913-322-5500.

Merriam Police partners with Merriam businesses to help create safer workplaces. We offer Active Shooter response training, and CPR/AED training to help employees prepare for emergencies and reduce risk. Merriam Police can also provide on-site business security reviews tailored to your location and operations to help protect employees, customers, and property.

Business Security Review 

A Business Security Review is a voluntary, on-site assessment conducted by police to help identify potential safety and security concerns. Officers review the property layout, lighting, access points, and operational practices, then provide practical recommendations to help reduce risk, improve preparedness, and enhance overall safety for employees and customers.

CPR / AED Training

Our non-certification CPR/AED training provides a basic overview of life-saving techniques, including hands-only CPR and how to safely use an automated external defibrillator (AED). The training is designed to increase awareness and confidence in responding to cardiac emergencies.

Active Shooter Training

Active Shooter Training helps participants recognize potential threats and learn practical response strategies for violent incidents. The training emphasizes environmental awareness and early threat recognition, followed by the nationally recognized Run, Hide, Fight response framework. Participants learn how to make quick, informed decisions to protect themselves and others, including actions to take until law enforcement arrives and what to expect when officers are on scene. Learn more from the Department of Homeland Security.

Run, Hide, Fight Video

Request Training or Review

Alarm Registration

Alarm registration assists the police and fire departments in providing service to you during an emergency. The information collected will be included in current pre-fire and alarm plans for your property and added to our records annually. There's no fee to register your alarm.

Register Your Alarm

Internet Exchange Parking

We have a safe spot for you to do internet shopping exchanges! There are two designated parking spots between the Merriam Police Department and Merriam City Hall that are monitored by video camera 24/7. Look for the sign and green parking spaces in the parking lot.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a free service for those who live or work in Merriam, and $15 for non-residents. Call the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560 to schedule. Please note: this services is only for physically documenting fingerprints. The KBI charges fees when the fingerprint card is submitted for a records check. 

Blue Envelope Program

House Watch Requests

Are you leaving town and want the Merriam Police Department to watch your home? A house watch is a community service provided by the Merriam Police Department. This service may reduce the possibility of someone entering your home while you're away.  

Request a House Watch

Birthday Parades

Invite Merriam Police to help celebrate your child's birthday. Officers will drive by your home with their lights and sirens blaring! Contact the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560 or email to schedule a police parade. 

Car Seat Checks 

Car seat installation checks are by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560 to schedule. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides more information about selecting and installing a car seat,

Learn More

What's the Law? 

Child Passenger Safety Act (KSA 8-1343)  

• All children under the age of 4 need to be in a federally approved safety seat. 
• Children ages 4 to 8 years must be in a federally approved child safety seat/booster seat UNLESS the child weighs more than 80 pounds or is taller than 4’9”. 
• Children ages 8 to 13 years must be protected by a safety belt. 
• This law applies to all passenger cars designed for carrying fewer than 10 passengers.
• Kids under age 14 are prohibited from riding in any portion of the vehicle not intended for passengers, including riding in the back of pickup trucks.
• Fines apply for violations. 

Uniform Public Offense Code

The Uniform Public Offense Code (UPOC) is published by the League of Kansas Municipalities. It's designed to provide a comprehensive public offense ordinance for Kansas cities. It doesn't take effect in a city until the governing body has passed and published an ordinance incorporating it by reference under the authority of and by the procedure prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012 and K.S.A. 12-3301 and 12-3302.

The Uniform Public Offense Code, in large part, parallels the state criminal code. Additional provisions for local regulations, if any, may be included in the incorporating ordinance. Previous ordinances relating to public offenses in conflict with provisions of the Uniform Public Offense Code and ordinances incorporating earlier editions of the Uniform Public Offense Code should be repealed by the incorporating ordinance.

The City of Merriam annually adopts the Uniform Public Offense Code.

Uniform Public Offense Code For Kansas Cities(PDF, 2MB)

Standard Traffic Ordinance

The Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO) for Kansas Cities is published by the League of Kansas Municipalities. It's designed to provide a comprehensive traffic code for Kansas cities. It doesn't take effect in a city until the governing body has passed and published an ordinance incorporating it by reference under the authority of and by the procedure prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012 and K.S.A. 12-3301 and 12-3302.

The Standard Traffic Ordinance, in large part, parallels the state traffic act. Additional provisions for local regulations, if any, may be included in the incorporating ordinance. Previous ordinances relating to traffic in conflict with provisions of this standard traffic ordinance and ordinances incorporating earlier editions of the standard traffic ordinance should be repealed by the incorporating ordinance.

The City of Merriam annually adopts the Standard Traffic Ordinance.

Standard Traffic Ordinance For Kansas Cities(PDF, 2MB)

Compliments

If you feel that a member of the Merriam Police Department has gone above and beyond the normal call of duty and you would like to make a compliment about that person, please fill out the form below and select submit.

Submit Compliment

Complaints 

When a person makes an official complaint against an officer, it is documented and investigated by the officer's supervisor. If the complaint is serious in nature or cannot be resolved by the supervisor, it is forwarded to the captain for further investigation. Once the investigation is complete it is forwarded to the police chief as founded or unfounded. If the complaint is founded, the captain recommends the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken for the officers actions.

Submit Complaint

To conduct a search of registered sexual offenders in Johnson County, please visit the Johnson County Sheriff's Department website. The site maps offenders using a Google mapping system. You can see where they live, work or go to school. 

To conduct a search of the registered sex offenders throughout the state of Kansas, please visit the Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI) website. 

To search the national database, visit the US Department of Justice website.

The following is a list of fees charged for reports and other services: 

• DVD's and Videos - $15 plus staff service time
• DUI Reports - 25 cents per page
• Fingerprints - Free if you work or live in Merriam, $15 non-residents
• Research Fee - Direct staff service cost; minimum $25
• Digital Photos - Free
• All Other Reports - $5
• Criminal History Check (Merriam activity only) - $5
• Car Seat Installation Checks - Free

Fingerprinting and car seat installation services are by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call our community service officer at 913-322-5560 to schedule.

View Past Annual Reports