Police records in Texas or any police records in the United States are generally available for public access. Police reports are official documents that contain information such as the defendant, the plaintiff, the officer report and the case between the parties. Three types of police reports are available that can be requested from the police department - crime, administrative and traffic report. A crime report is usually a record of criminal offense by nature. Records of this nature are available to the public once the case reaches conviction or a decision is made. However, the record is restricted from public access if the case is on-going or involves a juvenile or a minor and only the public part of the information is available to the public.
Records that are classified as administrative involve officers of the government who have committed violations or misconduct and violated the police policy. Traffic reports, on the other hand, are those cases that involve traffic incidents, infraction and can include the vehicle name, driver's license as well as the case filed.
To obtain a copy of the police report, it is important that one knows the case number or file number of the case. A person named as defendant can get a copy from the police department where the case was filed. Third party individuals who are interested in obtaining a copy of the police record can only do so once the case has already reached a decision or the case was closed. Different ways to obtain police reports include going to the Police department record division, email request, and walk in or through accessing the police records online.
Austin police records are available from the local police department although it can also be accessed online by checking out the APD incident police database. To make a search, include the police jurisdiction area or district, zip code and case number. Cost for each page is about $.10 each. The Records section is not open daily and as such, one needs to phone in or check the office schedule.
For those who want to obtain records in Houston, Texas, they can do so by email, fax or mail in their written request to the Police Open Records Division. Records that are still under investigation are available by requesting an "open records request" from the Attorney General. Processing takes about one to two months depending on the request volume. On the other hand, for those who want public information copies, they can send their request to the Records Division and pay $6 by cash, cashier checks or money order directly to the Office.
For a more convenient approach of extracting police records and other public records, one can check out online commercial public search sites that offer free public searches. This is the fastest and most convenient way to retrieve information without having to wait for longer periods.
Records that are classified as administrative involve officers of the government who have committed violations or misconduct and violated the police policy. Traffic reports, on the other hand, are those cases that involve traffic incidents, infraction and can include the vehicle name, driver's license as well as the case filed.
To obtain a copy of the police report, it is important that one knows the case number or file number of the case. A person named as defendant can get a copy from the police department where the case was filed. Third party individuals who are interested in obtaining a copy of the police record can only do so once the case has already reached a decision or the case was closed. Different ways to obtain police reports include going to the Police department record division, email request, and walk in or through accessing the police records online.
Austin police records are available from the local police department although it can also be accessed online by checking out the APD incident police database. To make a search, include the police jurisdiction area or district, zip code and case number. Cost for each page is about $.10 each. The Records section is not open daily and as such, one needs to phone in or check the office schedule.
For those who want to obtain records in Houston, Texas, they can do so by email, fax or mail in their written request to the Police Open Records Division. Records that are still under investigation are available by requesting an "open records request" from the Attorney General. Processing takes about one to two months depending on the request volume. On the other hand, for those who want public information copies, they can send their request to the Records Division and pay $6 by cash, cashier checks or money order directly to the Office.
For a more convenient approach of extracting police records and other public records, one can check out online commercial public search sites that offer free public searches. This is the fastest and most convenient way to retrieve information without having to wait for longer periods.
About the Author:
Finding Free Public Police Records Online can be tricky and potentially demoralizing but we know the smart way. Come and share our insights and tips at Free Police Records.