Arrest Reports: Although some arrest information is available to the public if the arrest was made within the past six months, arrest reports are generally not authorized for release to the public, and can only be obtained with a subpoena or court order when there is a pending civil case. If you have a criminal case pending, contact your defense attorney or public defender. If you are representing yourself, contact the Office of the City Attorney (for misdemeanor arrests) or the District Attorney (for felony arrests) at the court where the trial is pending. If you are seeking a copy of an arrest report for a juvenile, or would like to obtain arrest information from an arrest that occurred within the past six months, contact the Discovery Unit of Risk Management Group at (213) 978-2100 to determine if you are eligible to receive this information.
Crime Reports: If you want to request a copy of a crime report, you must mail your written request to R&I Division (see below for mailing address). You may only receive a crime report if you are the victim, the victim’s representative, or as provided in Section 6254 of the Government Code.
To obtain a copy of a crime report, you must provide:
A check or money order payable to the LAPD in the amount of $23.00. This is a non-refundable administrative fee charged to cover the cost of the record search, and will not be refunded even if it is determined that no report exists.
The name(s) and address(es) of the victim(s).
The insurance policy number if the requestor is an insurance company.
A release from the victim if the request is from an attorney.
The type of report - robbery, assault, etc.
The date and location of occurrence.
A report (DR) number, if known.
EXCEPTION (FEE WAIVER) FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – Recent California legislation provides that victims of domestic violence may request a copy of their crime report without charge. Due to the severe time constraints imposed upon local law enforcement agencies for providing a copy of the report, victims of domestic violence should apply directly to the concerned Area of occurrence for a copy of their report. (Records and Identification Division will continue to process requests received by mail from victims of domestic violence as expeditiously as possible. There will be no fee charged to the victim.)
Mail to:
Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
Traffic Reports: To obtain a copy of a traffic report, you must mail your request to R&I Division. Traffic reports can be released to authorized persons such as the victim, the victim’s representative, or as provided in Section 20012 of the Vehicle Code.
To obtain a copy of a traffic report, please provide:
A check or money order payable to LAPD in the amount of $23.00. This is a non-refundable administrative fee charged to cover the cost of the records search, and will not be refunded even if it is determined that no report exists.
The location and the party(ies) involved in the collision, if known.
The insurance policy number if the requestor is an insurance company.
A release from an involved party if the request is from an attorney.
The type of report – traffic.
The date and location of occurrence.
A report (DR) number, if known.
The vehicle license number, when applicable.
Mail to:
Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
Obtaining Detention Date Information
Requests for information regarding detention date information for LAPD arrests, known as “Detention Letters,” may be directed to the R&I Division’s Watch Commander’s Office at Parker Center, 150 North Los Angeles Street, Room 210, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays.
Your detention letter request can only be processed for arrests made by the LAPD, and only if you were released from LAPD custody. The fee for this information is $15.00, payable by check, money order, or currency.
If the LAPD arrested you, but you were held in County custody, please visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office Records Bureau at 12440 East Imperial Highway, Norwalk, or contact them at (562) 465-7825.
FINGERPRINT SERVICES
The LAPD’s fingerprinting capabilities are for law enforcement support only and, therefore, the LAPD does not provide fingerprinting services for the public. For information regarding obtaining fingerprints, please refer to the Yellow Pages telephone listings under the headings of “Fingerprints,” “Immigration,” or “Passports.”
PHOTOGRAPHS
Crime Scene Photographs: Crime scene photographs are not released except pursuant to a court order.
Traffic Collision Photographs: You may obtain traffic collision photographs if you have a legal right to obtain them. An initial fee of $13.00 is charged to determine whether photographs exist and your right to receive them. If photographs do exist, R&I Division personnel will contact you to outline the subsequent charges that will vary depending on the quantity and size of the photographs. If you are requesting a traffic collision report at the same time you are requesting the photographs, please prepare two separate checks.
Please mail your traffic collision photograph request to:
Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
To obtain traffic collision photographs, please provide:
A check or money order payable to Los Angeles Police Department in the amount of $13.00. This is a non-refundable administrative fee charged to cover the cost of the records search, and will not be refunded even if it is determined that no photographs exist.
The location and the party(ies) involved in the collision, if known.
The insurance policy number if the requestor is an insurance company.
A release from an involved party if the request is from an attorney.
The date and location of occurrence.
A report (DR) number, if known.
The vehicle license number.
REGISTRATION
Arson and Narcotics Offender Registrations: If you are required to register for an arson or narcotics offense with the LAPD, you must:
1. Register in person.
2. Bring a photo identification.
3. Provide your parole or probation officer’s name and address, if required.
Location: Parker Center, Front Lobby Desk, 150 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles.
Registration Availability: Monday through Friday excluding weekends and holidays beginning at 4:00 a.m. and ending at 10:00 a.m. For further information, contact the R&I Division Registration Unit at 213-485-2007.
Sex Offender Registrations: As of October 1, 1995, the sex offender registration process was decentralized. If you reside within the LAPD’s jurisdiction and are required to register as a sex offender, you must report to the LAPD Community Police Station that covers the area of your residence and ask for a REACT detective to complete the registration process. Several Community Police Stations require an appointment to register. Please contact your local station and request appointment information.
Vehicles - Repossessed
If your vehicle was repossessed, you may be required to obtain an LAPD repossession release certificate. Repossession release certificates are only available at Parker Center, 150 North Los Angeles Street, Room 205. Business hours are 7:00 AM until 9:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The fee is $15.00.
Wants or Warrants
If you want to know whether an outstanding want or warrant exists for you, you must appear in person at an LAPD Community Police Station. No specific want or warrant information is provided telephonically.
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