The Auburn Police Department is committed to building a positive, proactive partnership with the citizens of Auburn in many ways, especially through our strong community policing efforts.

We are proud of the diversity, quality of information, services and staff we have to offer you. We do our best to supply you with the appropriate phone number, department contact, procedure or link you may need to locate the answers or solutions you are seeking.

Our lines of communication are always open. To pay a compliment, register a concern or to make a suggestion about police services or conduct, contact the Auburn Police Department at 253-931-3080.

History

Auburn was originally named Slaughter, after Lt. William A. Slaughter, who died in the Indian uprising of 1855. The town of Slaughter, Washington was incorporated in 1891. Slaughter's early history was defined by its rich farmlands, abundant natural resources and hardy pioneer spirit. One of the first official acts at the initial Town Council meeting was to appoint F. L. Berner as the first Town Marshall.

Known as Auburn since 1893, 20 marshals served the city until 1925, when R. Roy Wendle became Auburn's first Police Chief. The Auburn Police Department came into its own in the late 1920s under the direction of Chief Charles L. Ludwig. When he first came into office, the only file for the department was a wire spindle with a scrap of paper about an accident at West Main and "A" Street. Chief Ludwig then established the first permanent records system for the department, including a workable fingerprint and photography system. All the funding for training and the equipment needed for this came from his own pocket. By the time he retired, Ludwig headed an eight-person police department housed in a new building next to a new jail.

Today with over 115 authorized full time employees, the Auburn Police Department serves a population in excess of 72,000 citizens. Operating with a $17 million budget, the department maintains more than 40 vehicles, participates on regional Task Forces and special teams such as SWAT, Civil Disturbance and Hostage Negotiators. The Department has been accredited since 1997.