Frequently Asked Questions
The Bristol Police department is compiling here, the most common asked questions to keep you informed. If someone asks us a question, we feel that there are many others that are wondering the same thing.
Q: [Where does the word COP come from?]
A: ["Cop" has long existed as a verb meaning "to take or seize", but
it didn't begin to make the linguistic shifts necessary to turn it
into a casual term for "police officer" until the mid-19th century.
The first example of 'cop' taking the meaning "to arrest" appeared
in 1844, and the word then swiftly moved from being solely a verb
for "take into police custody" to also encompassing a noun referring
to the one doing the detaining. By 1846, policemen were being
described as "coppers", the '-er' ending having been appended to the
"arrest" form of the verb, and by 1859 "coppers" were also being
called "cops", the latter word a shortening of the former.]
Q: [How can I get a copy of a police
report?]
A: [Please allow 48 hours after reporting of an accident or incident
to pick up a copy of a report. All reports can be picked up at
the Bristol Police Department 24 hours a day. There is a
$5
fee for accident reports and incident reports, however they may be
some restrictions for incident reports.
Q: [Can I get my
fingerprints done at the Bristol Police Department?]
A: [Yes. There is a $5 fee and proper ID is required.]
Q: [How do I file
for a gun permit?]
A: [Visit or http://www.in.gov/isp/
to fill out an application online. After the application has
been submitted, you can go to your local police department to have
fingerprints taken and to pay fees.]
Q: [How do I report
a crime?]
A: [You can call the Bristol Police Department's non emergency
number 574-848-4464, the Elkhart County Dispatch center
574-533-4151, or 9-1-1. You can now also use our online form
to give a tip or report a crime. This form is located on the
"Contact Us" page.]
Q: [What do I do if
I need assistance and no one is inside the police department?]
A: [You can either call the Bristol Police Department's non
emergency number 574-848-4464 or you can use the phone outside the
police department which dials directly to the Elkhart County
Dispatch center.]
Q: [We are going
out of town, is there any way that the police can watch my house?]
A: [Yes. Residents of Bristol can stop at the police
department and fill out a Vacation Residential Information Report.
This form can also be found online on the "Services" page.]
Q: [What is the
Indiana State Law on child safety restraints?]
A: [Indiana state law requires children less than 8 years old to
ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat that is
appropriate for the child's height and weight. Indiana law also
requires that the car seat or booster seat be installed and used
according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children ages 8 to 16
must ride in a seat belt. The state of Indiana strongly encourages
parents to place children in the back seat whenever possible, though
this is not required by law.]
Q: [Can a Bristol
Police Officer pull someone over and/or write a citation in another
town?]
A: [Yes. A Bristol Police Officer is a sworn officer for the
State of Indiana. They can enforce Indiana laws in any town.]
Q: [How do I view a
list of the registered sex offenders in the area?]
A: [You can visit this website
http://www.insor.org/insasoweb/ to view registered sex
offenders.]
Q: [What
are the qualifications to be a
A: [You
need to be at least 21 years of age, have a valid drivers license, a
high school diplopma or GED, no felony or domestic violence
convictions. You also need to be able to pass a written test, physical
test, and an extensive background check.]
Q: [Can
I drive my golf cart in town?]
A: [Yes, but there are conditions. The town of Bristol now has
an ordinance that allows golf carts to be driven on city streets.
However, first a registration application needs to be filled out and
approved and a registration sticker needs to be affixed to the golf
cart. Also, golf carts can only be driven on the city streets
not the state roads. For more information, the complete ordinance is
located on the "Information Links" page.]
Q: [My question was
not answered here.]
A: [If you have a question not listed here, feel free to email us at
bristolpd@bristolpolice.org]
"Together We Can Make A Better Community"
Employment
- Interested in becoming a Police Officer in Bristol? Here is an Application and Questionnaire that you will need to complete for consideration.
- We currently do not have any positions open.