About the Police Department
A Personal Message from the Chief
Thank you for your interest in the Moorhead Police Department. I am incredibly proud of the dedicated men and women who serve and volunteer with us. Every member of our team is committed to serving the Moorhead community with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.
The Moorhead Police Department is authorized for 64 sworn officers and 19 civilian support staff. Our Patrol Division is the core of our daily operations, responding to both emergency and non-emergency calls 24/7. Each year, officers typically respond to over 30,000 calls for service.
Our Investigative Division handles complex, long-term felony investigations, including narcotics cases. We also assign an investigator to the Metro Street Crimes Unit and work closely with local, state, and federal partners to solve and prevent crime across jurisdictions.
Our civilian staff play a vital role in our operations by handling records, transcribing reports, managing evidence, conducting parking enforcement, and doing animal control. Additionally, our Crime Analyst, Community Resource Navigator, and Community Policing Coordinator provide essential support in keeping our city safe and informed.
We are proud to have 23 dedicated citizens involved in the Moorhead Police Volunteers program. Each year, they contribute over 2,000 hours assisting with house checks, parking enforcement, special events, and administrative tasks. Our Cadet Program also offers local college students a unique opportunity to gain experience and prepare for a future career in law enforcement.
We are committed to ongoing training and equipping our team with the latest tools and technology. Through our wellness program and professional development opportunities, we support the health, growth, and preparedness of every employee.
Strong community partnerships are key to our success. From neighborhood watch groups and local schools to nonprofits like the Red River Child Advocacy Center, Churches United, and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, our community partners help us deliver on our mission every day. We also value collaboration with other city departments and law enforcement agencies across North Dakota and Minnesota, including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Fargo Police Department, to keep our region safe and welcoming.
This message is just a snapshot of the work we do. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our programs, services, and how we serve the City of Moorhead.
Thank you again for visiting and for your interest in the Moorhead Police Department.
Chris Helmick, Chief of Police
About the Chief
Chief Chris Helmick began serving as the Chief of Police for the Moorhead Police Department in April 2025. He brought with him more than 23 years of experience from the Fargo, North Dakota Police Department (FPD), where he began his career in 2001 and rose through the ranks to Captain.
During his tenure with FPD, Chief Helmick held several key leadership roles, including commander of the Professional Standards Division, as well as the Neighborhood Services and Criminal Investigations Divisions. He played a pivotal role in numerous department initiatives, including the advancement of the Police Training Officer program, the creation of the department’s mobile phone program, the strategic restructuring of patrol beats to better match call volume and staffing, the implementation of airport police operations, and the establishment of Fargo PD’s first Crowd Management Team.
Chief Helmick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Minnesota State University Moorhead and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 285). He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the FBI National Academy Associates.
A longtime Moorhead resident, Chief Helmick is proud to serve the community he and his family call home.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to maintain peace and order through the provision of police services that are of the highest quality and responsive to the needs of the community. We will contribute to the safety and security of the community by apprehending those who commit criminal acts, by developing partnerships to prevent, reduce or eliminate neighborhood problems, and by providing police services that are fair, unbiased, judicious, and respectful of the dignity of all individuals.
Vision Statement
We, the members of the City of Moorhead Police Department, are committed to working together in a problem-solving partnership with the community to prevent crime and improve the quality of life for all.
- Safety - The protection of human life is our highest priority.
- Cooperation - We are committed to working cooperatively with the community and each other by encouraging open communication and active participation to achieve our mutual goals.
- Fairness - We strive to resolve conflict through impartial enforcement of the law. Everyone shall be treated equitably and compassionately.
- Crime Prevention - We will work in a partnership with the community through positive role modeling and education.
- Diversity - We appreciate one another's differences and recognize that our unique skills, knowledge, abilities and backgrounds bring strength and caring to our community.
- Professionalism - Our success depends on the trust and confidence of the community. We shall engage in respectful behavior that reflects the honesty and integrity of police professionals.