Boston, MA Police Records Search

Boston Police Department Records

Boston has its own police department, the Boston Police Department, which maintains many local law enforcement records, including incident reports, arrest records, accident and traffic crash reports, call-for-service logs, booking records, and related investigative records. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department also maintains records connected to custody, detention, service of process, and jail operations for the county. Members of the public may request many police records under Massachusetts public records law, but access depends on the type of record, whether the agency has the record, and whether disclosure is legally allowed. Records may be withheld or redacted for privacy, safety, juvenile protections, medical information, witness information, court orders, or active investigations. Availability can also depend on how the report was created, how old it is, and whether the matter remains pending.

How to Request Police Records in Boston

To request police records in Boston, start with the Boston Police Department Records Unit or the department’s public records request process. Requests may usually be submitted through an online public records portal, by email, by mail, in person, or by phone for guidance. For county custody or jail-related records, contact the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Provide as much detail as possible, such as the incident date, report number, location, names of involved people, and the type of report requested, such as an incident report, arrest record, call log, or crash report. Agencies may charge fees for copies, certified copies, printed pages, media, digital production, or staff time when allowed by law. Under Massachusetts public records law, agencies generally must respond within 10 business days, though extra time may be allowed for large or complex requests. Staff may contact the requester by email, phone, or mail if clarification is needed. Some records may be redacted, delayed, or denied, particularly those tied to open investigations, juvenile matters, protected personal information, or court restrictions, which is normal under Massachusetts public records law.

Boston Police Departments

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