Search Riverside Police Records

Riverside police records include arrest reports, incident files, traffic collision documents, and body camera footage maintained by the Riverside Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff. Riverside is a city of about 314,000 people and the county seat of Riverside 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 Riverside Police Department Records Bureau. You can submit requests online or in person at the station. The agency has ten days to respond to your request under California law.

Riverside Police Department Records

The Riverside Police Department maintains all crime reports and arrest logs for incidents within the city. The Records Bureau processes public records requests under California law. You can submit a request online through the Riverside County NextRequest portal at riversidecountyca.nextrequest.com. This system allows you to track your request and receive notifications when records are ready. You can also visit the Records Bureau in person. Bring valid ID when picking up records in Riverside.

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

Riverside Police Department contact information for records requests:

• Address: 4102 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501
• Records Bureau phone: 951-354-2007
• Online portal: riversidecountyca.nextrequest.com
• Hours: Monday through Friday during business hours

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

Riverside County Sheriff Records

Riverside County Sheriff maintains countywide arrest records and jail booking logs. If someone was arrested in Riverside and booked into county jail, those records are kept by the Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's office responds to records requests within ten days as required by California law. You can request arrest records by calling 951-955-2400 or emailing cpra@riversidesheriff.org in Riverside County.

The Sheriff's Department has a comprehensive CPRA FAQ page at riversidesheriff.org that explains what records are available and how to request them. Generally, a police report by number and incident is exempt from disclosure. Body worn camera footage is exempt from disclosure under the CPRA except for critical incidents. The Sheriff's office also operates a transparency portal for public access to certain records in Riverside County.

Riverside County Sheriff Records contact information:

• Address: 4095 Lemon Street, 5th Floor, Riverside CA 92501
• Phone: 951-955-2400
• Email: cpra@riversidesheriff.org
• Online portal: riversidecountyca.nextrequest.com
• Transparency portal: publicaccess.riversidesheriff.org

Types of Police Records Available

Arrest records show when police took someone into custody in Riverside. These include 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. However, suspects generally cannot get copies of their own arrest reports while charges are pending in Riverside.

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

Traffic collision reports are created when police respond to crashes. 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 after the incident. Both local police and California Highway Patrol create these reports depending on where the crash occurred in Riverside.

Body camera footage is generally exempt from release under California law. However, Government Code Section 7923.625 requires agencies to release footage from critical incidents. This includes officer-involved shootings and use of force causing serious injury or death. Agencies have 45 days to provide this footage. They can take 30-day extensions for certain reasons. Other body cam video is not subject to release under the Public Records Act in Riverside.

Requesting Records Step by Step

To request records from Riverside Police Department, use the Riverside County NextRequest portal. Create an account with your name and email address. Then fill out the request form. Include as much detail as you can about the incident. Provide names, dates, case numbers, and locations. Be specific about what records you want. The more details you give, the easier it is for staff to locate your records in Riverside.

You can also visit the Records Bureau in person or submit a written request by mail. Bring valid ID if you plan to pick up records. You may need to show proof that you are authorized to receive the records. This might include proof you were a victim or documentation of your legal interest in the case. The department will review your request and determine if records can be released in Riverside.

The agency must respond within ten days telling you if your request is granted, denied, or needs more time. If denied, the agency must cite the specific legal exemption that applies. You can appeal a denial or seek help from an attorney if needed in Riverside.

Common considerations for records requests in Riverside County:

• Use NextRequest portal for online submissions
• Police reports by number may be exempt
• Body camera footage limited to critical incidents
• Ten-day response time required
• Fees vary by type of record

Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking can get free copies of their incident reports. Most agencies provide these within five days at no charge under California Family Code in Riverside.

California Records Laws

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 Riverside.

Some records are exempt from release under state law. Government Code Section 6254(f) exempts records of investigation from disclosure. This means certain police reports may not be available. 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 in Riverside.

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 Riverside.

Other Record Sources for Riverside 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 Riverside. 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.

Riverside 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 Riverside.

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 Riverside.

Police Records in Nearby Cities

Other large cities near Riverside have their own police departments with records bureaus.

For countywide information, visit the Riverside County police records page.