About this police station finder
This free tool helps you find police stations near you instantly using your device's GPS plus the world's largest open mapping database (OpenStreetMap). No accounts, no app installs, no country lock. Coverage spans 190+ countries with detailed data across USA, UK, India, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia.
Whether you call it a police station, thana, kotwali, chowki, sheriff office, gendarmerie, polizei, comisaria, polis karakolu, or koban, this tool searches the same global dataset. Use the city search field if you are planning a trip, navigating a new city on business travel, or are in a location requiring law enforcement assistance.
IMPORTANT: In an emergency, call first
This tool helps you find police stations for non-emergency visits (filing reports, complaints, verifications). For active emergencies (crime in progress, immediate danger, medical emergency), ALWAYS dial your local emergency number first before navigating to a station:
- USA, Canada: 911
- UK, Ireland: 999 (also 112 works)
- European Union (all 27 countries): 112 (works everywhere in EU)
- India: 100 (Police), 112 (Unified Emergency Response System)
- Australia: 000 (Triple Zero)
- New Zealand: 111
- South Africa: 10111
- Japan: 110 (Police), 119 (Ambulance/Fire)
- China: 110 (Police)
- South Korea: 112
- UAE, Saudi Arabia: 999
- Singapore: 999
- Hong Kong: 999
- Malaysia: 999
- Thailand: 191
- Philippines: 117 (also 911 in some regions)
- Brazil: 190
- Mexico: 911
- Russia: 102 (Police), 112 (Unified)
Most mobile phones can dial 112 globally, which redirects to local emergency services in nearly all countries.
Types of police facilities you can find
Different jurisdictions handle different responsibilities. This tool helps you find the right type:
- City / Municipal Police: Handles crimes within city limits. Examples: NYPD (New York), LAPD (Los Angeles), Metropolitan Police (London), Delhi Police (Delhi), Mumbai Police (Mumbai), Karnataka Police (Bengaluru).
- Sheriff Office (USA): County-level law enforcement, also runs jails and provides court security. Each US county has its own sheriff department.
- State Police / State Troopers (USA): Handles state highways, state law violations, and rural areas where local police are not present.
- Highway Patrol: Specialized traffic enforcement on interstates and major highways. CHP (California), Texas DPS, etc.
- State Police (India): Each Indian state has its own police force. Examples: Maharashtra Police, Karnataka Police, Tamil Nadu Police, Uttar Pradesh Police, Telangana Police.
- RCMP (Canada): Royal Canadian Mounted Police - federal police that also serves as provincial/local police in many areas. Look for "RCMP Detachment".
- Garda Siochana (Ireland): Ireland's national police service. Police stations are called "Garda Stations".
- Gendarmerie (France, Italy, Spain): Military police with civilian jurisdiction, often in rural areas.
- Koban (Japan): Small neighborhood police boxes typically with 1-3 officers, located near train stations and busy intersections.
- Thana (India): Main police station. Sub-stations are called "Chowki" or outposts.
- Women's Police Station (Mahila Thana): All-women police stations in India handling crimes against women. 700+ across India.
- Cyber Crime Cell: Specialized police stations or cells handling online fraud, hacking, identity theft, online harassment.
- Traffic Police: Separate facilities in many countries handling traffic violations, accidents, and challans.
How to file a police complaint or FIR
In India (FIR - First Information Report):
- Visit the police station with jurisdiction over the area where the crime occurred
- Provide written or oral complaint about the cognizable offense
- Officer must record it free of cost under Section 154 CrPC
- You receive a copy of the FIR with reference number
- Zero FIR: Can be filed at ANY police station regardless of jurisdiction, then transferred to correct station
- e-FIR: Many Indian states (Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) now allow e-FIR filing online for theft, lost documents, missing persons through state police citizen portals
- For cybercrime: File online at cybercrime.gov.in (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal)
In USA:
- For emergencies: Call 911
- For non-emergencies: Call 311 or visit local police station
- For online crime reports: Most cities have online reporting at their police website
- For federal crimes / interstate / cybercrime: FBI at IC3.gov
In UK:
- For emergencies: Call 999
- For non-emergencies: Call 101 or visit local station
- Online: report.police.uk allows reporting many types of crime
- For fraud and cybercrime: Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040
In Australia:
- For emergencies: Call 000
- For non-emergencies: Call 131 444 (Police Assistance Line)
- Online reporting available at each state's police website
- For cybercrime: ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
Services available at police stations
- Filing FIRs / Police Reports / Complaints: Any kind of crime - theft, assault, harassment, fraud
- Police Verification: For passport applications, rental agreements, employment background checks
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Required for visa, immigration, overseas employment, adoption
- Character Certificate: Issued by police for various employment and educational purposes
- Lost Property: Report lost items, retrieve found property (jewelry, documents, electronics)
- Traffic Challan Payment: In some jurisdictions, traffic fines can be paid at police stations
- Missing Persons Reports: File reports for missing family members
- NOC (No Objection Certificate): For various official purposes
- Tenant Verification: Verify identity and background of new tenants
- Domestic Worker Verification: Verify backgrounds of household help
Women's safety helpline numbers worldwide
For women in distress, these dedicated helplines provide immediate support:
- India: 1091 (Women Helpline), 181 (Women in Distress), 1098 (Child Helpline), 112 (Unified Emergency)
- USA: 1-800-799-7233 (National Domestic Violence Hotline), 1-800-656-4673 (RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline)
- UK: 0808 2000 247 (National Domestic Abuse Helpline), 0808 802 9999 (Rape Crisis)
- Australia: 1800RESPECT / 1800 737 732 (24/7), 1800 015 188 (DV)
- Canada: 1-866-863-0511 (Assaulted Women's Helpline), 1-800-363-9010 (Quebec SOS)
- UAE: 800 7283 (Women's Helpline)
- Singapore: 1800-777-0000 (PAVE - Crisis Hotline)
- South Africa: 0800 428 428 (Gender Based Violence)
For immediate danger, always call the local emergency number first (911, 999, 112, 100, 000) before calling helplines.
Tips for visiting police stations
- For non-emergency visits: Mid-morning (10 AM - 12 PM) and mid-afternoon (2 PM - 4 PM) are typically less busy than evenings or shift change times
- Documents to carry: Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, Aadhaar in India), address proof, any documents related to the matter
- Filing FIRs: Bring witnesses if possible; details of date, time, location, persons involved; any physical evidence
- Right to copy: You are entitled to a free copy of any FIR or complaint you file
- Officer in Charge (SHO): If unsatisfied with response, escalate to the SHO or higher officer (DCP, ACP, Commissioner)
- Online alternatives: Check if your jurisdiction supports online reporting for common matters before visiting
- Language: In multilingual countries, ask for an officer who speaks your preferred language
- Recordings: Note the time, names of officers you spoke with, and any reference numbers