This article will provide information on obtaining police reports from Bay Area local law enforcement agencies. There are numerous types of law enforcement agencies which may be involved. Most cities have a police department (“PD”), every county has a sheriff’s department, federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, Postal Police, ATF, etc, and special task forces are all police agencies. Therefore, there may be several incident reports available arising from an incident.
For local police departments not listed here, simply go to their respective websites and search for “police report requests” to find information on obtaining a copy.
Bay Area Sheriff’s Department & Local/City Police Departments
- Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department
- Alameda County Sheriff’s Department
- San Mateo Sheriff’s Department
- San Francisco County Sheriff’s Department
- Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department
REPORT RELEASES /REQUEST FORM – No fee (reports fewer than 50 pages) All Photos & CDs – $5.00-Printed Additional Fee
Click here for a Request Form
The public may request a copy of an incident report taken by the Sheriff’s Office. They may fill out the request form online and bring it to the Sheriff’s Office for processing or come in and fill one at the Records window. They will need to indicate their involvement in the incident. For people representing involved parties they must bring a business card or a notarized letter of representation. All requests are reviewed by the Detective Division and can only be released upon their approval. There may be exceptions on non-injury accident reports where they may be released at the time of request. No fee will be collected for a copy of a crime report with fewer than 50 pages. A fee of 10 cents a page will be charged for reports of 50 pages or more.
Milpitas PD
Police reports are generally available 3 to 5 working days after the report was taken. You may pick up a copy from our office from 8:00 am to 11:30 PM Monday to Friday. Please call to make sure the report is ready. The number is (408) 586-2400 and ask for Records. There is a charge for copies of reports: $6.00 for the first 10 pages, and $1.00 per page after that; fingerprinting is $10.00 for ink cards; photocopies of traffic citations are $1.00 per; and, if your case includes audio cassette or video cassette tapes – there is a fee structure to duplicate these.
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San Jose PD
Records Unit
Records Unit staff provide incident, arrest and accident reports to the general public, media and police personnel internally and nationwide.
Police reports and records may be obtained from the SJPD Records Unit located at:
201 West Mission Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Records Unit: (408) 277-4261
Click here for Records Unit hours of operation and additional contact information.
Depending on the type of report, requests for reports may be made in person, by U.S. mail or by telephone. Report costs are listed on the Fee Schedule.
All requests for information are processed in accordance with State of California data privacy laws and department policy.
San Francisco PD
How do I get a copy of my police report?
Fill out a REPORT REQUEST form and send it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Hall of Justice
Records Bureau
850 Bryant St. #475
San Francisco, CA 94103
If you are unable to print this form, you may go to your nearest police station to pick one up.
You may also go in person to the Records Bureau; Monday thru Friday, 8am to 3pm to obtain your report if available.
You will be required to present valid identification.
Obtaining a copy of your police report is FREE.
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Santa Clara County Sheriffs Department
REPORT RELEASES /REQUEST FORM – No fee (reports fewer than 50 pages) All Photos & CDs – $5.00-Printed Additional Fee
Click here for a Request Form
The public may request a copy of an incident report taken by the Sheriff’s Office. They may fill out the request form online and bring it to the Sheriff’s Office for processing or come in and fill one at the Records window. They will need to indicate their involvement in the incident. For people representing involved parties they must bring a business card or a notarized letter of representation. All requests are reviewed by the Detective Division and can only be released upon their approval. There may be exceptions on non-injury accident reports where they may be released at the time of request. No fee will be collected for a copy of a crime report with fewer than 50 pages. A fee of 10 cents a page will be charged for reports of 50 pages or more.
South San Francisco PD
How can I obtain a copy of a Police report?
You may request a copy by mail by sending the required fee and a self-addressed stamped envelop and a copy will be mailed to you, generally within 2-3 days of receipt of the request. You should phone the Records office at (650) 877-8900 (have the report number handy if possible) to find out how much a copy will cost and whether the report is ready to be released. Or, you may come to the Police Department, provide identification, and purchase a copy of the report. The cost is 25-cents per page. Please allow a minimum of 5 working days for traffic accident reports to be completed.
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
Release of Information
Department personnel shall be responsive and helpful in providing information and documents that may be requested by individuals, members of the public or private agencies whenever possible, provided the service is not contrary to existing law.
In order to obtain information from a police report, the requestor is asked to submit an Application for Record Information. To download an application for release of information click here [PDF link]. [No link provided on website]
An application is not required however, the application is useful to staff in assisting members of the public with handling the request.
The fees for obtaining the report are set forth in the City of Sunnyvale Fee Schedule in accordance with the California Government Code. Victims of a crime are not subject to the fee.
Requests made by application will be submitted: in person, by mail*, or FAX (408-730-7705). The California Public Records Act allows up to 10 days for a response. *Records Unit 700 All American Way, Sunnyvale, Ca. 94086.
Photograph Requests
An application to obtain copies of case photographs or a written request must be submitted to the Records Unit. A processing fee must be included at time of request- see City of Sunnyvale Fee Schedule.
Tue, Dec 1, 2009
Law Articles, Legal Procedures