Time Limits May Apply
The availability of an old police report depends largely on the jurisdiction’s minimum time for retaining records. For example, you may be able to obtain a report from North Carolina sheriff’s offices for up to 20 years for solved cases and longer for unsolved cases, according to state record retention laws. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department keeps crime, arrest and accident reports for up to 10 years however, reports involving homicides, missing persons and sex crimes are kept longer. According to PRI Management Group, a law enforcement consulting company, law enforcement agencies tend to retain records longer than required by law, and if a record still exists, it can be requested by the public.
How Do I Obtain Police Records Online
Obtaining police records online is much easier than it used to be. However, it can still be a bit of a challenge if you dont know where to look. The fastest way to find police records online is to do a search on SpyFly using their secure search platform. Other than that, you can try to find police records by:
- Visiting the local police website
- Searching the county Sheriff website
- Searching the County Court website
Some websites will have you fill out a registration and pay a fee in order to have access to their records.
Using This System Allows You To Submit A Report Immediately
How to Report a CrimePlease confirm the following to find out if online filing is right for you:
For emergencies, please call .For non-emergencies you may also call .
Types of incidents that can be reported online:
- Custody Order Violation
PLEASE READ prior to filing a report
Welcome to the Redwood City Police Department Online Reporting System.We hope you find this system convenient and easy to use. We are offering this system to the public to enhance our customer service by providing alternative methods of reporting crimes. Some of the benefits of reporting crimes online include:
Reports Filed Anytime, AnywhereYou can file a report anytime, anywhere with an internet connection, and you do not have to wait for an officer to be dispatched.
Secure CommunicationAll collected information is securely transferred to the servers through an encrypted channel.
Immediate Report CopyYou can immediately print a temporary copy of the report after filing it. An official copy with a permanent case number will be emailed to you once it is approved by an approving officer free of charge.
What happens when I complete the Online Form?After you complete the online form and click the SUBMIT button, you will:
Please Note:
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To Get A Police Check
A police or criminal history check is a document that lists all court outcomes and pending charges for an individual. The information is collected from the databases of all Australian police jurisdictions. You may need a police check when you start a new job, adopt a child or work overseas.
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If you live in this state or territory |
Ask your local police for |
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Australian Capital Territory |
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How Do I Check For Outstanding Local Warrants
Anyone can check for an outstanding local warrant using the following steps:
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Why Cant I Report All Crimes Online
- Only crimes that have no suspects, are not in progress and do not involve injury can be reported online.
- Some crimes and incidents may require evidence collection or other investigative procedures requiring an officers involvement.
- Among others, online reporting is NOT appropriate for the following crimes or incidents:
- Incidents occurring within past 30 minutes
- Violent crimes, completed or attempted
- Sex crimes
- Theft or loss of a firearm
- Theft or loss of prescription drugs or other controlled substances.
- Stolen vehicles, completed or attempted
- Stolen license plate
- Burglary of your home or business
- Crimes committed due to race, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability and/or sexual orientation
- Aggressive driving
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Finding The Descriptions Of Crimes For Different Penal Code Sections
Police records usually refer to penal code sections in describing crimes police are investigating.
For example, section 187 of the penal code is for homicides.
How can you find out which crimes the various sections of the state penal code stand for?
The Berkeley Police Department has a list of commonly used penal code sections and which crimes they refer to. Thats at:
At the site check the box next to Penal Code. In the search box type in the number for the penal code section youre interested in .
At the search results page, click on the first listing. That should give you the penal code section youre seeking .
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Stolen Car Police Report
If your car was stolen, it is strongly advised that you file stolen car police report. Not only does this catalyze the process of reclaiming your vehicle but it may keep you from being the responsible for any crimes committed with your car.
It is important to report a stolen car and obtain a police report so that you could also begin an insurance claim, even if you do not have comprehensive car insurance.
Free Public Records Sites
If you’re wondering how to find a police report online for free, you’ve likely been met by a cavalcade of free public record sites, like CheckPeople and StateRecords.org, which promise documents such as arrest records, jail and inmate records, criminal records and police reports. Sites of this ilk may charge a per-search fee or a subscription price, but many offer free trial periods to assuage your curiosity.
It’s not exactly standard practice for police reports to end up online BRB Publications reports that over 25 percent of state and government agencies don’t provide public online records, so showing up in-person is almost always your best bet. When that’s not an option, or when you want to start with a little casual research, these types of sites act as aggregate sources. The information they have is public and nonexclusive, but they’ve done the legwork of gathering it all in one place for you.
In addition to the limited ability to search police reports by name, you can often access documents like divorce records, lawsuits and property records at these sites. Read More:How to Access County Public Records for Free
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Request A Police Incident Report Copy Online
Request and receive all types of San Francisco Police Incident Reports through an online portal. Report types include traffic collisions, domestic violence and all other incidents of general crime. Using the portal is the most secure and convenient way to request and receive incident reports from the San Francisco Police Department. An account can be created within the Incident Report Request Portal to track the request and receive reports and correspondences securely online.
Traffic Collision Reports: Before attempting to obtain a copy of a collision report, please allow a minimum of five days from the date of the collision to allow the report to be reviewed and approved for release.
Third Parties Obtaining Reports
Sometimes third parties who were not involved in the actions mentioned in police reports might want copies of them. In these instances, most states will only allow third parties to obtain copies of police reports if the matters enclosed within the reports have already been closed. However, some states may allow third parties to obtain copies of police reports even when the cases are pending. Generally, third parties must know the case number of the reports that they want and must go to the county clerks office where the police report was filed to obtain a copy of the reports. There is usually a fee for the reports to be printed as well.
The process of obtaining copies of police reports is slightly different for different groups of people. However, they typically are not difficult to obtain, no matter who wants them.
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Why Am I Not Able To Obtain A Police Report
The most common reason why people cannot get a copy of a police report is because of an ongoing investigation. Once the case is closed, you should be able to obtain a copy.
If you believe you have been unfairly denied access to a police report, you may wish to have a lawyer speak to the authorities on your behalf. Juvenile records may sometimes be sealed or withheld to protect the privacy of the victim. Generally, though, the process to obtain a police report is relatively simple, depending upon who is trying to obtain the report.
Police Incident Report Copy Request Forms
If you elect NOT to use the portal, requests may still be submitted using U.S. Mail and email using the Incident Report Request Form. However, those requests will be manually entered and tracked in the Incident Report Request Portal by a member of CISU. You do NOT need to complete the Incident Report Request form if you submit your request via the portal.
Our request forms are available in several languages. Select your language, download and fill out the request form in your preferred language. The completed form may be either mailed or emailed to SFPD for processing. Instructions are included on all forms.
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How To Find Old Traffic Accident Reports In A Newspaper
Newspapers typically include a section on local happenings or local news. Frequently, traffic accidents are reported within the local section. Sometimes, an old article from a newspaper is an excellent source of information if you were a victim in the accident. For instance, the article may include the name of a witness to the accident or provide a description of the other driver or the vehicle in the case of a hit and run. If you have hit a brick wall trying to investigate an accident that happened weeks, months or even years ago, old newspaper articles may provide crucial information.
Gather as much information as possible regarding the accident itself, for instance, the name of anyone involved, the date, the location or the type of vehicle involved. Most newspapers will require you to search archives to find the article you are looking for, so the more information you have the better.
Locate the name of local newspapers. A simple Internet search should turn up the names of any newspapers that report on the city or town where the accident took place.
How Do I Get Police Records
The fastest and most convenient way to get police records is to do a search through the SpyFly search platform. All you have to do is type in some basic information, then be prepared to get tons of information. Other ways that you might be able to obtain police records is to:
- Request the records from the police station
- File for record information through the county court
- Request the federal government for police records
Any time you request information from a government facility, they will have you fill out paperwork and pay the requested fees. It can take months, even years, to get the information.
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Police Department Request Form
If you cannot submit a police report request online or through the mail, then you will have to visit the police department in person and file a request there. Call beforehand since some departments only allow in-person requests on certain days. You can find your local police department here. Then you can find out about filling out a Police Department Request Form in person and how to get the information you need. Typically these police department request forms can be fulfilled that day.
A request will typically require you to provide your personal and contact information as well as details about the incident, including the type of incident, date, and who else was involved. Be aware that if the report pertains to an ongoing investigation then your request could be denied. If you are unclear about why your request was denied you should talk to an attorney.
Filing A Police Report Online
This system allows you to submit a report from your computer or mobile device without going to an OPP detachment. All submissions will be sent directly to the OPP and reviewed by an officer. You may be contacted to provide more information. You must have a valid e-mail address in order to submit a report.
To file a report online, please follow the simple steps below:
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How Do I Obtain A Police Report
In most cases the public portion of police reports can be obtained from the APD Incident Report Database. Please read the Incident Report Database instructions on how to obtain the report. Make sure to enter the case number exactly how it is shown in the instructions.
For information about purchasing a copy of the public portion of a police report contact the Austin Police Department Report Sales Unit at 974-5499. Reports can be purchased at the Main Police Headquarters, located at 715 E 8th Street. Reports are 10 cents a page and only the public portion is available for purchase from the report sales office. This is the same report that can be obtained from visiting the APD Incident Report Database. Report Sales new hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Access the Public Records Center to submit a public information request as well as retrieve documents regarding your public information request. See quick reference guide here.
Online And Mail Requests
Most law enforcement agencies process mail-in requests for police reports. Law enforcement in moderate to larger jurisdictions typically also give citizens the option of ordering and obtaining police reports online. Both methods may require you to pay a nominal fee, which may be waived if you are the party involved in the report. To find out whether the old report you seek is available online or by mail, confirm with the police department that processed the report by calling in advance.
References
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What If I Need To Change My Report After I File It
You will have the ability to file online supplemental reports. If you have already filed a report through the online system, we strongly encourage you to continue to update and add information through this system. This decreases the risk of filing the same report twice, and also makes it easier to keep your information tied to the correct report number.
You will need either:
- Requires IMMEDIATE police attendance or a lengthy on-scene investigation
- Is related to Domestic Violence
- Involves an Emotionally Disturbed Person
- Involves the reporting of Theft of E-Bike
- Is motivated by hate bias
Please call the Toronto Police at 416-808-2222 and DO NOT submit your report online.If this is an emergency, please call 911.
In order for the Toronto Police Service to process your CORE report, the following information is MANDATORY
- Your EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER and other contact information.
- The INCIDENT START AND END DATE
- The LOCATION of the incident, including the place or area your property was believed stolen.
- Please CREATE A SEPARATE PROPERTY ENTRY for EACH piece of property that you are reporting stolen.
The accuracy of the information you provide in the report greatly assists the Toronto Police Service in investigating your report. Please ensure it is as COMPLETE AND CONCISE as possible.
If you have filed a report online and would like to add/change/update your report, please submit a Supplemental Report.
Whats Available Online Sample Incident Logs
Some police departments put their incident or report logs online.
Here are some examples:
To see San Francisco Bay Area traffic incidents, click on the Communication Centers drop-down menu at the top left and select Golden Gate. To decipher abbreviations used in the incident logs, in the drop-down menu under Resources in the upper right select Glossary.
Berkeley Police Department
Posted daily in pdf format.
Posted daily in pdf format.
Palo Alto Police Department
Posted daily in pdf format.
Davis Police Department
Combines log of arrests and incident log.
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