The Ferndale Police Department serves the city's 3.9 square miles and nearly 25,000 residents. According to the department's Public Information Officer, the department has 38 officers including a detectives bureau, the chief, city parking officers and patrol. The department runs in three eight-hour shifts and on the weekends has a four-officer bar detail. The department also shares S.W.A.T. capabilities with neighboring cities Berkley, Royal Oak and Madison Heights.

The department is located next door to City Hall, along East Nine Mile Road, and has a fitness center and a shooting range on site, along with eight holding cells.

An auxiliary unit, mostly made of up residents, is called  upon during large events.

The chief of police is Timothy D. Collins.