Access Police Records in Long Beach

Long Beach police records come from the Long Beach Police Department, which serves the city's 450,000 residents. The department keeps incident reports, arrest records, and traffic collision files. You can request a copy of a police report if you were involved as a victim or party to the case. The Long Beach PD uses an online portal for public records requests. Processing can take up to six months depending on the type of report. There is a $29 fee for most reports. The police department is at 400 West Broadway in downtown Long Beach.

Requesting Reports from Long Beach PD

The Long Beach Police Department Records Division handles all police report requests. Call them at (562) 570-7381 with questions. You can also email LBPDRecordsInquiry@longbeach.gov. The main police station is at 400 West Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802. The records unit is open Monday through Friday during business hours. It is best to call ahead before you visit in person.

To request a police report from Long Beach, use the GovQA online portal at longbeachcapd.govqa.us. This system lets you submit a request and track its status. You will get an email when your report is ready. There is a $29 non-refundable fee for each report. You must pay this fee when you submit your request. The city accepts credit cards through the online portal. Processing may take up to six months depending on the case complexity and current workload.

You can get a police report from Long Beach if you are:

• A victim named in the report
• A party involved in the incident
• A legal representative of someone involved
• An insurance company with a valid claim
• A property owner affected by the incident

The Long Beach PD will not release arrest reports to the person arrested. This is standard policy under California law. Investigation records are generally exempt from public disclosure. You can request crime reports where you were the victim or reporting party. Traffic collision reports are available to drivers and others with a direct interest in the case.

Long Beach Police Report Fees

Long Beach charges $29 for a police report. This covers crime reports and incident files. Traffic reports are also $29. The fee is non-refundable even if the report is not available or your request is denied. A clearance letter costs $41. This is a document showing you have no local arrest record in Long Beach. Employers and licensing agencies sometimes require these letters.

Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking can get free reports under California law. You must show that you were the victim in the case. Contact the records division at (562) 570-7381 to ask about the fee waiver process. Most agencies provide these reports within five days at no cost. This is a state requirement that applies to Long Beach and all California police departments.

Note: Fees can change, so check with the Long Beach Police Department for current costs before submitting your request.

California Public Records Act in Long Beach

Long Beach follows the California Public Records Act for all police records requests. This law is in California Government Code Sections 7920-7931. Any person can make a request. You do not need to be a Long Beach resident. You do not have to give a reason for your request. The police department has ten calendar days to respond. This is the initial response, not the delivery of the records. They can take a 14-day extension if more time is needed.

Some police records are exempt from release. Active criminal investigations are usually withheld until the case closes. Personnel files are confidential. Body camera footage is exempt except for critical incidents like officer-involved shootings. The Long Beach PD must cite the specific legal exemption when denying a request. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe the records should be public under the California Public Records Act.

California Government Code Section 7923.625 covers body camera footage. Agencies must release footage from critical incidents within 45 days. A critical incident includes any discharge of a firearm or use of force causing serious injury or death. The Long Beach PD can take 30-day extensions if there is an ongoing investigation. For other types of body cam video, the department can deny the request under the exemption for investigative records.

Types of Police Records in Long Beach

Crime reports document incidents like theft, assault, burglary, and vandalism. An officer writes a report after responding to a call or taking a report from a victim. The report includes what happened, who was involved, and what the officer observed. You can request a copy if you were the victim or reporting party. Long Beach keeps these reports on file for many years. Older reports may take longer to locate and produce.

Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody in Long Beach. These include booking date, charges, and bail amount. The Long Beach PD posts some arrest information online as required by California Government Code Section 7923.610. This law requires agencies to make contemporaneous arrest information available to the public. You can check the department website for recent booking logs. Full arrest reports with investigation details are not released to the arrested person under California law.

Traffic collision reports are created when police respond to a crash in Long Beach. These show the date, time, location, vehicles involved, drivers, and any injuries. California Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires release of collision reports to involved parties. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with a valid claim number. Most collision reports are ready within seven to ten days. You can request these through the same GovQA portal used for other police reports in Long Beach.

Clearance letters show that you have no local arrest record in Long Beach. These cost $41 and are often required for employment, professional licenses, or housing applications. The letter only covers arrests by the Long Beach Police Department. It does not include arrests by other agencies or criminal history from outside the city. For a full California criminal history, you must request records from the California Department of Justice.

Other Record Resources for Long Beach

If you need your California criminal history, contact the California Department of Justice. You can request your own record for a $25 fee. This shows all arrests and convictions statewide. It includes Long Beach cases and arrests from any other California jurisdiction. The DOJ requires fingerprints and a completed application. Mail your request to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. More info is at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review.

For traffic collision reports from the California Highway Patrol, use the online system at crashes.chp.ca.gov. CHP handles crashes on state highways and freeways. If your Long Beach crash was on a local street, the Long Beach PD has the report. The responding agency depends on where the crash happened. Check your insurance claim or the report number to see which agency responded.

Legal aid services in Long Beach can help if you have questions about police records or your rights. Contact the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles at (562) 435-3501. They have an office in Long Beach that serves low-income residents. They can advise you on making public records requests and appealing denials. They also help with expungements and sealing of criminal records if you qualify under California law.

Police Records in Nearby Cities

Other cities near Long Beach maintain their own police records through local departments or the Los Angeles County Sheriff. Each has its own procedures for public records requests.

You can also view Los Angeles County Police Records for information about Sheriff services in unincorporated areas and contract cities.