How To Search Police Records Online
There is a plethora of reasons one would want to access police records online. Maybe you have a new neighbor that just moved in, and something feels off. Maybe you want to reconnect with a lost love and see where they ended up. Or maybe, you just got bored and want to do a little digging on people you know.
That’s where advanced people-searches, like the one on CheckPeople.com, come in handy.
Get Your Hands On A Traffic Accident Report
Need one? Heres what to do:
- Contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the auto accident. If you dont recall the investigating officers department, use this handy tip: For accidents within a town or city, call the municipal police department for accidents outside of a town or city call either the Sheriffs Department or the State Highway Patrol.
- In most cases the department will ask you to complete a Record Request Form. Some departments may offer this form online. You might have the option to submit by mail or in person.
- Some departments charge. Prices vary. Usually theres one flat rate, but some agencies base the charge on page numbers.
- Most agencies will deliver the accident report by mail or e-mail .
Some Department of Motor Vehicle offices also provide accident reports. In South Carolina, for instance, you can request a copy of the car accident report from the DMV after it has been received from the police.
Check with your DMV to see if this service is available.
Location And Contact Information
Verification of Crime/Lost Property/Aided Records
375 Pearl Street
Verification of Incident reports are provided by the Criminal Records Section, which stores and maintains crime and lost property reports and provides information from these files to members of the public and authorized agencies, as required by law and department regulations.
You can request a copy of a Verification of Incident by submitting your request online or by mail. The form is available for , or can be picked up at any police precinct, Housing Bureau public service area, or Transit Bureau district. Reports can only be returned through the mail and are NOT available at Police Headquarters.
If mailed, you must include two copies of the completed form, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Complainants/victims designating an authorized representative must complete, notarize, and mail the request to the address above.
NYPD/Criminal Records SectionSuite 4, 16th FloorNew York, NY 10038
*Please note: Effective Sunday, May 5, 2019, 7:30 AM, there is NO LONGER any fee assoicated with the Verification of Crime/Lost Property report.*
The Criminal Records Section is NOT open to the general public.
Mail two copies of the completed form, with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
NYPD/Criminal Records Section 375 Pearl StreetSuite 4, 16th FloorNew York, NY 10038
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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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Where To Find Police Records
First off, if you are or were a criminal and have a criminal record, you are entitled to a copy of that record thanks to the Freedom of Information Act. As stated earlier, police records are a matter of public record, therefore they are available for free access to the public. The Freedom of Information Act states that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information, except for exemptions that are listed. This means that anyone in the U.S. can request basic information that is considered public record, such as voter’s registration, property deeds, or criminal records.
The U.S. system of recording and storing these police records isn’t always the easiest to navigate. Records can have issues crossing state lines, which is why it’s important to find a database that checks all states and compiles the findings. A lot of people say the U.S. should make it easier and have all records in one pool, but that’s just not how things are done.
Police records are recorded in the states where such crimes occur, then are voluntarily submitted to federal databases for access. Not all crimes are recorded and submitted in this manner though, which is what leads to contrary records. With the CheckPeople search we are able to look through all sources of information quickly so you will be able to save a bunch of time on your search.
- County Criminal Records: $5-$20
- Federal criminal records: $8-$15
- Sex offender status: $0-$10
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How To Submit An Online Report
The online civilian incident system allows you to submit a report to the police immediately and print a draft copy of the police report for free. You will be required to create an online account to file your first report. Keep your login and password for future use. Please note: It is a crime to make a false police report.
NOTICE: If your incident involves a firearm of any kind, call and an officer will be sent to investigate.
Please confirm the following to find out if the Online Citizen Police Report is right for you:
- This is not an emergency
- This incident occurred in Lexington/Fayette County, Kentucky
- You do not have any suspect information
- You are at least 18 years old
- You have a valid email address
- The crime did not involve a firearm
- The reported crime is one of the following:
a. Harassing Communications b. Fraudulent Use of a Debit/Credit Card c. Theft by Unlawful Taking d. Criminal Mischief e. Lost Property f. Larceny from Auto
If you meet the above criteria, you are ready to file your report online. Please make sure to turn off your pop-up blocking software before filing the report. If you do not meet the above criteria, call to speak with an officer.
VICTIMS RIGHTS
I Think I Might Know Something About An Incident Listed On A Report Who Should I Contact About This
If you read an incident report and believe you have knowledge that would help an investigation, please contact the Seattle Police Non-Emergency Number at 625-5011 and provide the General Offense Number located on the top left side of the report.
If you need to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers. Mention the General Offense Number and date and time of the incident.
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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.
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Online Police Report Faq
Some types of crimes can be reported using the CopLogic online reporting application.
You may be able to file an incident report online, and once it has been processed, receive a Police Report that can be used for insurance purposes.
The Police online reporting systems and procedures do not accept crime reports for any crime types other than those listed below.
You must CALL Police Communications to report ALL OTHER CRIME TYPES, by telephoning: 277-8900.
- Defrauding an Innkeeper
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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.
- 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.
If you have filed a report online and would like to add/change/update your report, please submit a Supplemental Report.
What Is The Description Of These Crime Types
PART I CRIMES: The four crime types currently posted here Burglaries, Robberies, Aggravated Assaults and Homicides are among those known as Part I or Major Crimes. These terms refer to seven crimes designated by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting System as a basis for charting crime trends across the United States. The seven crimes chosen by the FBI as Part I crimes are: homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, which comprise Violent Crimes and burglary, larceny/theft and vehicle theft, which comprise Property Crimes.
People sometimes confuse the criminal behavior involved in a burglary versus a robbery. They may also not realize there is a difference between aggravated assaults and less serious assaults. The official FBI definitions of the crime types posted here are, as follows:
BURGLARY: the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft.
ROBBERY: taking or attempting to take anything of value from another person by force, threat or force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS: an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
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Why Are These The Only Crimes Shown
With the Police Reports Map and 9-1-1 Response Map, SPD is making almost all of our reports available online. The Department attempted to be very thoughtful about what information was released and what was not. These decisions were not made to “hide” types of crimes from the public, instead decisions were made about who to protect.
The only reports that are not being released under this system are when the rights of the victim, age of the victim, possibility of revictimization or overall public safety/security issues take clear precedence over the public right to know.
Information on Rape and other sexual offenses, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Kidnapping, Suicides, locations that are sensitive , Homeland Security issues and tactical information that might compromise the safety of our officers are not being released in this system.
If the event is one of the many types we do show, but the location code was entered into the system incorrectly, the location of the event cannot then be verified. In this scenario, this particular event will not appear on the map at all, rather than providing possibly misleading information.
How To Find Police Reports And Arrest Records Across Multiple Jurisdictions
Conducting your investigation can become complicated if you need to do a background search on someone who has lived in multiple jurisdictions. To simplify things, an internet-based specialized investigation company can provide a comprehensive, multi-state search in one easy step. This allows you to search for multiple records from all over the country quickly and easily. And you can avoid the hassle of searching for individual records from government entities.
BeenVerified has an online search form for public records. BeenVerifieds automated search aggregates from hundreds of databases and repositories. To search, go to the online search form and enter the persons first name, last name, and city. The form will search multiple public records databases and list potential matching names. Scroll through the list and select the person youre searching for, then click Build Report.
Questions and More Information
If you have any questions about how to get a copy of your police report, please leave a comment below. Also, view more Law Enforcement Resources.
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Why Are Some Things Blacked Out On The Page
This is called redacting and it is done to protect the privacy of the people involved in the incident.
The Department redacts the names of all victims, all non-involved parties, all juveniles/minors and all suspects unless they have been booked into jail. This is a major reason why it takes time to prepare crime reports for online posting.
Once a suspect has been booked into jail, their name is no longer private. If they were booked into King County Jail you can view suspect information online at the King County Jail Register.
Welcome To The Chicago Police Departments Online Reporting System
You can use the system to make an immediate report of a crime in which you are the victim.
Is this an emergency?
Emergencies should be reported immediately by dialing 911 on your telephone instead of submitting a police report online.
Do you know who committed this crime?
If you know who committed the crime, you should call 311 to file a report instead of submitting a police report online.
* If you have answered NO to the above questions, please continue.
Note: Filing a false police report is a crime! )
Violation of this section is a Class 4 Felony which can result in fines and/or imprisonment.
Do you understand that filing a false police report is a crime?
It is required that you understand that filing a false police report is a crime if you would like to submit a police report online.
Did the incident occur within the Chicago city limits?
If the incident did not occur within the Chicago city limits, you should contact the city or county where the incident occurred instead of submitting a police report online with the City of Chicago.
Are you eighteen years of age or older?
If you are under the age of eighteen years of age, you cannot submit a police report online. Please have a parent or guardian submit the police report for you.
Do you have an email address?
A valid return email address is required in order to submit a police report online so that we can email you your temporary police report number and a copy of the police report to keep for your records.
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Inappropriate Incidents For Online Problems
Any of the following would not be appropriate to report online:
- This is an emergency situation
- This incident occurred outside the City of San Leandro
- You, or someone youve spoken to, knows who committed the crime
- This incident occurred on a freeway or state highway
- There is potential evidence that can be collected or something was left behind by the suspect
If you answered NO to all of the above questions, you are ready to file your report online. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please call 510-577-2740 for an officer to respond to take your report.
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.
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How Long Does It Take To Obtain A Police Report
It typically only takes a few days to a week to get a copy of a police report if you were directly involved in the case. However, if you were not directly involved, or if you are an insurance agent, it will take longer because you have to send in a request and have it processed. This process can take up to a month or longer.