Pasadena Police Records

Pasadena police records include arrest reports, incident files, traffic collision documents, and booking information maintained by the Pasadena Police Department. Pasadena is a city of about 138,000 people in Los Angeles County. The city operates its own police department that handles all law enforcement within city limits. Police records can be requested through the California Public Records Act. Most requests go to the Pasadena Police Department Records Division. You can submit requests online, by mail, or in person. The agency has ten days to respond to your request under state law.

Pasadena Police Department Records

The Pasadena Police Department keeps all crime reports and arrest logs for incidents within the city. The Records Division processes public records requests under California law. You can submit a request online through the city portal, by mail, or in person at the police station. Bring valid ID if you plan to pick up records in person. Processing times vary based on the size and complexity of your request in Pasadena.

Crime reports take time to complete. Officers must finish writing reports and supervisors must review them. This typically takes seven to ten days after an incident. Traffic collision reports may take longer if the case is complex or involves injuries. Once a report is finalized, the Records Division can provide you with a copy. Some information may be redacted to protect witnesses or ongoing investigations in Pasadena.

Pasadena Police Department contact information for records requests:

• Address: 207 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
• Records Division phone: Contact main station line
• Hours: Monday through Friday during business hours
• Online portal: Check city website for current portal

Note: Contact the department directly for current fees and procedures before submitting your request.

Types of Police Records in Pasadena

Arrest records show when police took someone into custody. They list the person's name, booking date, charges filed, and bail amount set by the court. Arrest information is public under California Government Code Section 7923.610. You can request arrest records if you were involved in the case. Suspects generally cannot get copies of their own arrest reports while charges are pending in Pasadena.

Incident reports document crimes and other events that police respond to. Officers write reports after investigating calls for service in Pasadena. The report includes what happened, who was involved, and what actions police took. Victims and involved parties can request copies. Some details may be withheld to protect witnesses or preserve ongoing investigations. Suspects usually must wait until the case is resolved in Pasadena.

Traffic collision reports are created when police respond to crashes in Pasadena. These show the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and any injuries or property damage. California Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires agencies to give copies to drivers and other parties of interest. Most collision reports are ready within seven to ten days. Both local police and California Highway Patrol create these reports depending on where the crash occurred in Pasadena.

Booking logs show recent arrests at Los Angeles County jails. These logs list names, booking dates, charges, and bail amounts for people in custody. Los Angeles County posts booking information online where you can search by name or date. Booking logs are public information under state law. A booking does not mean the person was convicted of a crime in Pasadena.

How to Request Police Records

To request records from Pasadena Police Department, gather key details about the incident first. You need the date, location, names of people involved, and any case or report number. The more specific you are, the easier it is for staff to find your records. Call the Records Division to ask about their preferred method for submitting requests in Pasadena.

Write a clear request if submitting by mail or email. State what records you want and include your contact information. Provide proof that you are authorized to receive the records. This might be your ID, proof you were a victim, or documentation of your legal interest in the case. Send your request to the address listed above for Pasadena Police Department.

The department will review your request and decide if the records can be released. They must respond within ten days. If denied, the agency must cite the specific legal exemption that applies. You can appeal a denial or seek legal help if needed in Pasadena.

Common fees for police records in Pasadena may include:

• Copy fees per page
• Crime report processing fees
• Traffic report fees
• Free reports for domestic violence victims
• Certified copies with extra fees

Pay fees when you pick up records. Most agencies accept cash or check. Some may take credit cards. Call ahead to confirm payment methods in Pasadena.

California Public Records Act

The California Public Records Act is in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. This law gives any person the right to access police records. You do not need to be a California resident. You do not have to give a reason for your request. Agencies have ten calendar days to respond. They can take a 14-day extension if needed for complex requests in Pasadena.

Some records are exempt from release under state law. Active investigations may be withheld under Government Code Section 6254(f). Personnel files are confidential. Body camera footage is generally not released except for critical incidents. Government Code Section 7923.625 sets rules for body camera disclosure. Agencies have 45 days to provide footage from officer-involved shootings in Pasadena.

Penal Code Section 832.7 covers peace officer personnel records. Changes made by SB 1421 and SB 16 require disclosure of records involving officer-involved shootings, serious use of force, and sustained findings of sexual assault or dishonesty by officers. Agencies must release these within 45 days. They can delay release up to 180 days if an investigation is ongoing in Pasadena.

Additional Resources for Pasadena Residents

The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history information. You can request your own criminal record through the DOJ Record Review Unit for a $25 fee. Mail your request to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. Call 916-227-3849 with questions. You cannot get someone else's arrest history through this system under Penal Code Section 11105 in California.

The California Highway Patrol handles collision reports for crashes on state highways near Pasadena. You can request CHP crash reports online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Only parties of interest can get copies. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with claims. The CHP charges fees for reports. Call 1-800-TELL-CHP for help in California.

Los Angeles County Superior Court maintains records for criminal and civil cases filed in the county. Court records are separate from police records. You can search court cases online through the court website. For copies of court files and documents, contact the clerk's office at the courthouse. Court records follow different access rules than police records in Pasadena.

The California Attorney General runs the OpenJustice data portal at openjustice.doj.ca.gov. This site has crime statistics and arrest data for the whole state. You can view data by county or city. The portal does not include individual case files. For personal records, contact the agency that handled your case in Pasadena.

Police Records in Nearby Cities

Other cities near Pasadena have their own police departments with records divisions.

For countywide information, visit the Los Angeles County police records page.