Reading, PA Police Records Search

Reading Police Department Records

Police records in Reading, Pennsylvania are primarily maintained by the Reading Police Department, since the city has its own municipal police department. The Berks County Sheriff’s Office, county courts, and Pennsylvania State Police may also hold related records depending on the event, court process, or agency involved. Records may include arrest records, incident reports, accident reports, traffic accident reports, call logs, booking records, citations, and other law enforcement documentation. Members of the public may request records, but access depends on Pennsylvania public records rules, the type of record, and whether the requester is entitled to receive it. Records involving active investigations, juveniles, victims, protected personal details, or sealed court matters may be withheld or released with redactions. Availability also depends on agency retention schedules and whether the case is still active.

How to Request Police Records in Reading

To request police records in Reading, start with the Reading Police Department or the City of Reading’s Right-to-Know/Open Records process. Requests may commonly be submitted through an online form or portal, in person, by mail, by email, or by phone for instructions. If the Berks County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, or a court handled the matter, request records from that agency instead. Provide as much detail as possible, such as the incident date, report number, location, names of involved persons, vehicle information for crashes, and the type of report requested. Agencies may charge fees for printed pages, certified copies, accident reports, digital media, postage, or other duplication costs. Under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, agencies generally issue an initial response within five business days, though extensions may apply. Staff may contact the requester by phone, email, or mail if more detail is needed. Some records may be redacted, delayed, or denied, particularly those tied to open investigations, juvenile matters, protected personal information, or court restrictions, and this is normal under Pennsylvania public records law.

Reading Police Departments

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