Table of Contents
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Philadelphia Police Department Records
How to Request Police Records in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Police Departments
- Amtrak Police
- Drexel University Police Department
- Office of the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole Department
- Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office
- Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department
- Philadelphia Police Department
- SEPTA Transit Police
- Temple University Department of Campus Safety Services
- University of Pennsylvania Police Department
- Nearby Cities
- 5 Safest Cities in Pennsylvania
- Police Records Resources
Philadelphia Police Department Records
Police records in Philadelphia are maintained mainly by the Philadelphia Police Department, which provides city law enforcement services. The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office also keeps records related to its court, warrant, transport, and civil-enforcement duties. Records may include arrest records, incident and offense reports, accident and traffic crash reports, call-for-service logs, booking information, citations, and related investigative materials. Members of the public, involved parties, attorneys, insurers, and authorized representatives may request records when disclosure is allowed. Access depends on Pennsylvania public records law, agency retention schedules, record availability, privacy protections, and whether a case is still active. Records involving juveniles, victims, medical information, confidential sources, or ongoing investigations may be limited, redacted, or withheld.
How to Request Police Records in Philadelphia
To request police records in Philadelphia, start with the Philadelphia Police Department records unit or the City of Philadelphia’s public records process. Requests may be accepted through an online portal, by mail, in person, by email, or by phone depending on the record type. For sheriff-related records, contact the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. Provide as much detail as possible, such as the incident date, report number, location, names of people involved, type of report, and your contact information. Accident reports may have a separate request process. Agencies may charge fees for copies, certified copies, printed pages, postage, or digital media. Under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, agencies generally must respond within five business days, though they may take a lawful extension, often up to 30 days, for review, retrieval, legal review, or redaction. Staff may contact you by phone, email, or mail if they need clarification. Some records may be redacted, delayed, or denied, especially open investigations, juvenile matters, protected personal information, or court-restricted records, which is normal under Pennsylvania public records law.
Philadelphia Police Departments
Amtrak Police
Drexel University Police Department
Office of the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole Department
Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office
Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department
Philadelphia Police Department
SEPTA Transit Police
Temple University Department of Campus Safety Services
University of Pennsylvania Police Department
FAQs
What is included in a police record from Philadelphia?
A police record may include an incident report, arrest information, crash report, traffic accident report, call log, citation, booking details, or related case notes. The exact contents depend on the type of event, the agency that created the record, and whether any information is legally protected.
Are police records in Pennsylvania public?
Some police records are public, but not all. Pennsylvania law allows access to certain records while protecting active investigations, juvenile information, victim details, medical information, confidential sources, and other sensitive material. Agencies may release a redacted version when only part of a record can be disclosed.
How long does it take to get a police report in Philadelphia?
For public records requests, Pennsylvania agencies generally respond within five business days. The agency may take a lawful extension, often up to 30 days, if it needs more time to locate the record, review it, calculate fees, or make redactions. Routine accident or incident report requests may have separate processing times.
How do I find arrest records in Philadelphia without going to the police station?
You can start by checking the City of Philadelphia’s public records request options, the Philadelphia Police Department’s records information, or court-related online resources for cases that have reached the courts. You may also submit a request by mail, email, or an online portal if available for the record type.
Can I look up someone’s arrest history in Philadelphia online?
Online access may be limited. Court docket systems may show some case information after charges are filed, while police-held arrest records may require a formal request and may be restricted by privacy rules or investigative limits. Not every arrest or police contact is available online.