Table of Contents
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Washington Police Department Records
How to Request Police Records in Washington
Washington Police Departments
- George Washington University Police
- Metropolitan Police Department - Headquarters
- Metropolitan Police Department - Sixth District
- Metropolitan Police Department Fourth District Station
- Metropolitan Police Department: Major Crash Investigations Unit
- U.S. Park Police
- Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department - Fifth District
- Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department - First District
- Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department - Third District
- Washington DC Police Department - Second District
- Washington DC Police Harbor Patrol
- Nearby Cities
- 5 Safest Cities in District Of Columbia
- Police Records Resources
Washington Police Department Records
Police records in Washington, District of Columbia are primarily maintained by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Records may include arrest records, incident and offense reports, traffic crash reports, accident reports, call-for-service logs, booking information, and related investigative materials. The District also has the D.C. Department of Corrections for detention records and the D.C. Office of the Sheriff for court-related law enforcement duties, but MPD is the main citywide police agency. Members of the public may request many records under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act or through agency-specific report request procedures. Access depends on record availability, public records rules, privacy protections, and whether a case is open, sealed, juvenile-related, or otherwise restricted by law or court order.
How to Request Police Records in Washington
To request police records in Washington, contact the Metropolitan Police Department or the District agency that maintains the record. Requests may be submitted through an online public records portal, by email, mail, phone, or in person, depending on the type of report. Provide as much detail as possible, such as the incident date, report or case number, location, names of involved people, and whether you need an incident report, arrest record, traffic crash report, or call log. Agencies may charge fees for copies, certified records, printed pages, digital media, staff search time, or mailing. Under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act, agencies generally must respond within 15 business days, with a possible extension in certain circumstances. The agency may contact you by email, phone, or mail if it needs clarification, payment, identification, or proof of authorization. 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 District of Columbia public records law.
Washington Police Departments
George Washington University Police
Metropolitan Police Department - Headquarters
Metropolitan Police Department - Sixth District
Metropolitan Police Department Fourth District Station
Metropolitan Police Department: Major Crash Investigations Unit
U.S. Park Police
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department - Fifth District
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department - First District
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department - Third District
Washington DC Police Department - Second District
FAQs
What is included in a police record from Washington?
A police record may include an incident report, arrest information, traffic crash report, accident report, call-for-service details, booking information, officer narratives, dates, locations, and names of involved parties, depending on the record type and what is legally releasable.
Are police records in District Of Columbia public?
Many police records are available to the public under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act, but access is not automatic for every record. Records may be withheld or redacted for privacy, active investigations, juvenile matters, sealed cases, protected victim information, or court orders.
How long does it take to get a police report in Washington?
For FOIA requests, District agencies generally respond within 15 business days, though some requests may take longer if they are complex or require legal review. Simple report copy requests may be processed sooner if the record is available and the request includes enough information.
How do I find arrest records in Washington without going to the police station?
You can submit a request online, by email, or by mail to the Metropolitan Police Department or the agency that holds the record. You may need the person’s name, date of arrest, location, case number, or other identifying details to help staff locate the record.
Can I look up someone’s arrest history in Washington online?
Some limited arrest or case information may be available through District public records portals, police request systems, or court docket searches. Online information may be incomplete, delayed, or restricted, so a formal request to the proper agency may be needed for specific records.