Police Records in San Bernardino

San Bernardino police records come from both the city police department and the county sheriff depending on where incidents occurred. The city has over 220,000 residents making it a major population center in Southern California. You can request arrest logs, crime reports, traffic collision files, and jail records through the appropriate agency. Both follow California Public Records Act guidelines with ten-day response requirements. San Bernardino County uses NextRequest for online submissions. The county currently cannot provide reports from April 2019 to April 2023 due to a network issue. Standard fees and processing times apply for available records in San Bernardino.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Records

The San Bernardino County Sheriff maintains records for unincorporated areas and provides jail services countywide. The Information Services Division handles all public records requests. Staff process thousands of requests each year from victims, attorneys, insurance companies, and the general public. The office is located at 655 East Third Street in downtown San Bernardino.

A major network service interruption affects records availability. The sheriff cannot process requests for reports taken between April 23, 2019, and April 7, 2023. This covers nearly four years of data. Staff are working to restore access but no timeline is available. For reports from other time periods, normal request procedures apply. This limitation does not affect the city police department, only county sheriff records in San Bernardino.

San Bernardino County uses NextRequest for online submissions. Visit sanbernardinocounty.nextrequest.com to submit your request electronically. The portal tracks status and sends email updates. You can also request records by mail or in person. Call 909-888-5916 for questions about procedures, fees, or data availability in San Bernardino County.

Clearance letters cost $38 in San Bernardino County. Processing takes ten business days. These letters confirm you have no outstanding warrants or holds. Employers and licensing boards often require them. Other fees vary by record type and page count. Staff will quote exact costs when they locate your file.

Note: Reports from April 23, 2019 through April 7, 2023 are currently unavailable due to technical issues.

San Bernardino Police Department

The San Bernardino Police Department serves all areas within city limits. Officers respond to calls, investigate crimes, make arrests, and write reports for city incidents. The department has its own records unit separate from the county sheriff. For events that occurred inside city boundaries, contact the city police rather than the county.

To request police records from the city department, you need current contact information and submission procedures. Check the department website or call their main number for details on how to submit requests. Some agencies use online portals while others require mail or in-person submissions. Processing times typically run seven to ten business days for standard reports in San Bernardino.

The city police department is not affected by the county's network service interruption. You can request city police reports from any time period. If you are unsure whether your incident was handled by city police or county sheriff, start with the location. City limits versus unincorporated areas determine jurisdiction. Staff can redirect you if you contact the wrong agency in San Bernardino.

How to Request Records

Gather information before you request. You need dates. You need locations in San Bernardino. You need names of people involved. A case number helps staff find files faster. If you lack the case number, be as specific as possible about the incident. More detail means quicker processing.

For county records, use the NextRequest portal online. This is the fastest method. For city police records, follow their preferred submission process. Include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. State exactly what records you want. Explain your connection to the case. Victims should identify as victims. Drivers should mention they were in the crash. Insurance companies must provide claim numbers and policy information in San Bernardino.

California law requires agencies to respond within ten calendar days. They tell you if records exist and whether they can be released. Some files are exempt from public disclosure. Active criminal investigations are often withheld until they close. Officer personnel files are confidential except for serious misconduct under Penal Code Section 832.7 as amended by SB 1421 in California.

Processing times depend on request complexity. Your own simple report may be ready in days. Large requests involving many files take weeks. The agency will contact you when records are available for pickup or delivery. Pay required fees before receiving copies in San Bernardino.

Available Record Types

Arrest records document who police took into custody. Each shows name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. San Bernardino County maintains booking logs for recent arrests. You can view these online. For certified copies or older arrests, submit a formal request. Arrest data is public under Government Code Section 7923.610 in California.

Incident reports cover crimes and other events officers investigate. Reports include victim accounts, witness statements, evidence collected, and officer findings. You must be directly involved to get copies. Suspects usually cannot obtain their own arrest reports. Third parties without legal standing are denied access. Active cases may be withheld until investigations close in San Bernardino.

Traffic collision reports are created when officers respond to crashes. These show date, time, location, vehicles, drivers, and injuries. Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires agencies to provide these to parties of interest. Drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurers with claim numbers can request copies. For crashes on Interstate 10, Interstate 15, or other state highways, contact California Highway Patrol at crashes.chp.ca.gov instead of local agencies in San Bernardino.

Costs and Processing Times

San Bernardino County charges $38 for clearance letters. Other fees vary by record type and length. Standard copy charges run from 10 to 50 cents per page at most California agencies. Staff will inform you of exact costs when they process your request. Payment is required before you receive records in San Bernardino County.

Most agencies accept cash and checks for payment. Some take credit cards. Call ahead to verify accepted methods. If fees create hardship, ask about waivers. State law requires free reports for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. These must be provided within five days at no charge. You may need to show proof of victim status in San Bernardino.

Processing times vary by request type. Simple requests for your own report often complete in five to ten business days. Complex requests with multiple files can take weeks. The ten-day response requirement covers the initial reply, not final production of records. Agencies tell you if they have the records and can release them, then work on making copies in San Bernardino.

Note: Always verify current fees and timelines with the specific agency before submitting your request.

California Public Records Act

The Public Records Act gives you the right to access police records in San Bernardino. The law is in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. Anyone can make requests. Residency is not required. You do not need to explain your purpose. Agencies must respond within ten days. They can extend this by 14 days for complex requests in California.

Some records cannot be released. Active criminal investigations are exempt. This protects ongoing cases from interference. Once cases close, more information becomes available. Officer personnel files are mostly confidential. Recent laws require disclosure of serious misconduct. Shootings, excessive force, sexual assault by officers, and dishonesty must be provided within 45 days under SB 1421 in California.

Body camera footage is generally exempt from release. Government Code Section 7923.625 requires agencies to provide footage only from critical incidents. This includes officer-involved shootings and serious use of force. Agencies have 45 days to release this footage. They can extend by 30 days during active investigations in San Bernardino.

State Police Record Access

The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history information. You can request your own record through the DOJ Record Review Unit. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for forms and instructions. The fee is $25. You must submit fingerprints via Live Scan. The DOJ will not release another person's criminal history to you. Only law enforcement can access third-party criminal records in California.

For general public records from the DOJ, use their portal at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pra. The DOJ maintains different records than local police. They handle statewide databases and certain investigations. Most routine police records remain at the local level in San Bernardino, not with state agencies.

California Highway Patrol manages collision reports for state highways. Their online system at crashes.chp.ca.gov lets parties of interest request reports directly. Fees apply for copies. Local police and sheriff handle crashes on city streets and county roads in San Bernardino.

Nearby Major Cities

Other large cities near San Bernardino have their own police departments and records procedures: