Important Numbers
Hatfield Dog Officer
(413) 586-1508
Hatfield Town Clerk
(413) 247-0492
Massachusetts Registry Of Motor Vehicles
(800) 858-3926

Important Links

What To Do If You Are Stopped By The Police

MA State Police Northampton E911 PSAP

Hatfield Police Patches

Do you have a question for or about the Hatfield Police Department? Chances are, your question has been asked by others before. Take a moment and read our department FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) which lists the most commonly asked questions and their corresponding answers. There's a good chance you'll find the answers you need here, and you may learning something else in the process!

This FAQ was last updated on 06/06/2006

I found a dead bird and am concerned it may be infected with the West Nile Virus. What do I do with it? If you have found a dead bird (preferably multiple birds) in Hatfield and would like to report it, please contact the toll-free Massachusetts West Nile Virus Information Line at (866) 627-7968, or the Hatfield Board of Health at (413) 247-0497, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800. These numbers are staffed during normal business hours only. DO NOT dial 9-1-1 to report dead birds. Please note that at this time, the only birds being tested are black crows and blue jays. Other birds may be properly discarded. Want to learn more about it and how to protect you and your family? Visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health West Nile Virus Information Web Site or the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention FAQ for West Nile Virus and get all your questions answered.

 

I would like to obtain a shoulder patch from the Hatfield Police Department. Do you trade patches? Do you sell patches? Because the Hatfield Police Department is such a small agency, budget constraints prohibit the department from honoring all patch requests. Instead, each one is handled on a case-by-case basis. If you have a compelling or interesting need to obtain a patch from the Hatfield Police Department, please contact Chief Thomas Osley via email at hpd@hatfieldpolice.com and explain the circumstances of your request. There is no guarantee that any patch request will get either answered or honored. Please understand that with Internet exposure, such requests are becoming much too frequent to respond to all requests. The police department currently does not sell shoulder patches, but reserves the right to do so in the future. If you would like to view current and past shoulder patches online, you may do so by clicking here.

 

I need to see the police chief about something. When is he in the station? Because the Hatfield Police Department is not staffed 24 hours a day, there isn't always someone in the station. The police chief currently holds office hours by appointment only. Please call the station at (413) 247-0323 in advance and leave a message for the chief, including your name and phone number. He will contact you and arrange to meet you at the station at a mutually convenient time. If needed, we have provided contact numbers and driving directions to the police station.

 

My neighbor's dog is loose in my yard. Who do I contact? For all animal complaints (domestic or wild) please contact R. Scott Pomeroy. He is the animal control officer for the Town of Hatfield and can be reached through the Hatfield Police 24-hour dispatch center at (413) 586-1508. This is the only number that should be used for reporting animal complaints. DO NOT dial 9-1-1 for dog or animal complaints. Unless the animal in question is an immediate threat to people or livestock, animal complaints do not constitute an emergency.

 

I think there is a rabid racoon in front of my house. What do I do? Keep all people and pets away from the suspicious animal. Then follow the instructions for contacting the animal control officer outlined in the question above.

 

There's a bear/deer/moose in my back yard. What do I do? Please remember that Hatfield is a rural community and as such is home to many wild animals. With housing being developed further and further into wooded areas, sightings of large wild animals are becoming more common. The most important thing to remember is not to panic or startle the animal. As a general rule, wild animals are more scared of humans than we are of them. The best course of action is to keep all children and pets inside your house and leave the animal alone. More often than not the animal will leave on its own in a short time. To reduce the likelihood of wild animals appearing in your yard, remove or secure all potentially attractive food sources such as bird feeders, bee hives, compost piles and domestic cat or dog food. Searching for food is the most common reason wild animals appear in populated areas. If the animal returns repeatedly or is an immediate threat to people or livestock then you should contact the animal control officer as outlined in the question above. Isolated sightings of wild animals without any threatening or unusual behavior should not be reported to the police or the animal control officer.

 

I need to obtain or renew my FID card or pistol permit (LTC). What do I need and where do I go? If you are a Hatfield resident, you must obtain or renew your FID card or pistol permit through the Hatfield Police Department. Blank firearms permit applications are available at any Massachusetts police department or can be downloaded from our website. Once completed, you will need to meet with the chief at the station to process your application. Because the Hatfield Police Department is not staffed 24 hours a day, there isn't always someone in the station. The police chief currently holds office hours by appointment only. Please call the station at (413) 247-0323 in advance and leave a message for the chief, including your name and phone number. He will contact you and arrange to meet you at the station at a mutually convenient time. There have been many changes in the firearms laws recently. To read about all the changes, as well as to find out what you need to bring with you for your firearms permit, please visit our FID & Firearms Permits section.

 

The police chief issued me an FID card many years ago so I could carry mace or go hunting with my rifle. At the time I was told my FID would be good for life. Is this still true? No! If your current FID card does not have a fingerprint or photo of you on it, then it is expired. New changes to the firearms laws require all FID cardholders to renew their cards. There is only a 90-day grace period on expired FID cards. Expired cardholders caught carrying a weapon can be subject to a fine up to $5000 and/or arrest. Please see the FID & Firearms Permits section for more information.

 

I've just been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Do I need to report it? If you are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident (no matter how minor) you must stop and identify yourself to the other driver(s) or property owner(s) involved. If the damage to the other vehicle(s) or property exceeds $1000.00, or if someone is injured (no matter how minor), or if one of the vehicles involved has fled the scene then you must report the accident.

 

What are my responsibilities once I've been involved in an accident and I need to report it? If any of the criteria from the question above apply, you should immediately contact the local police department of the city or town in which the accident occurred (for contact numbers for the Hatfield Police Department, click here). Your safety is of the utmost importance. If you can do so safely, move your vehicle to a safe location, such as the side of the road. Try not to alter the appearance of the accident scene or alter any damage to your vehicle. Attempt to get your driver's license and vehicle registration, and hand those documents to the investigating officer upon his arrival. Once the officer arrives, you will be asked a series of questions regarding the cause of your accident. Do not try to assess blame or make accusations regarding other drivers or people involved. Just state the facts, and the officer or your insurance company will make the final determination of who is at fault. You must also complete a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Operators Accident Report. You can obtain a copy of this form at any police department in Massachusetts or at any branch of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. You can also dowload the form right now from our web site by clicking here. You will need three completed copies of this form. The first copy must be forwarded to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The second copy must be forwarded to your insurance company. The third copy must be forwarded to the police department of the city or town in which the accident occurred. You can get the mailing address of the Hatfield police department in the Contact Us section. It is also a good idea to keep one additional copy of the accident report for your own records.

 

How long do I have to file an accident report? Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, section 26, you have five business days to file an accident report if any of the criteria from the question above apply. Your license can be suspended or revoked if you fail to submit an accident report within this time period.

 

Can a police officer fill out the accident form for me? No. The police officer is not allowed to assist a motorist with completing an accident form. However, your insurance company may be able to provide you with some assistance. You can also find some helpful tips and instructions associated with this form in our Download Forms section.

 

If the Hatfield Police Department is not staffed 24 hours a day, who answers the phone if I dial 9-1-1? In 1994, the Town of Hatfield joined the Massachusetts State Police Enhanced 9-1-1 (E911) Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). This center is located inside the Northampton State Police barracks on King Street in Northampton and is staffed 24 hours a day. All calls for police, fire, or ambulance services in Hatfield are handled by this PSAP. For more information on the PSAP click here.

 

When I should I dial 9-1-1 and when should I use the seven-digit non-emergency number to contact the Hatfield police? Please see the Massachusetts State Police Enhanced 9-1-1 (E911) Public Safety Answering Point FAQ page for information on when to use 9-1-1.

 

What do I do if I'm stopped by the police for speeding? For detailed information on what to do if you are stopped by the police, please click here.

 

Do I need to license my dog if I live in Hatfield? Where do I go and how much does it cost? Yes. All domestic dogs in the Town of Hatfield over six (6) months of age must be licensed. To obtain a license for your dog, you must go to the town clerk's office on weekdays between 8:30am - 4:30pm. It is located in the Hatfield Town Hall, 59 Main Street, Hatfield, MA 01038 and is the first door on the right as you come in the front entrance. You must have with you a copy of a current rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian or animal shelter. All dogs must be registered by April 30th of each year. Fees for licensing a dog are as follows:

Type of Dog	Fee
Male (Neutered or Not Neutered)	$4.00
Female (Spayed)	$4.00
Female (Not spayed)	$8.00

After May 1st of each year, dog owners will have to pay a late fee of $1.00 for each month the dog is not registered. If you have any additional questions about licensing dogs, please contact the town clerk at (413) 247-0492.

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