San Mateo Police Records Access

Police records in San Mateo come from both the city police department and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office depending on where incidents occurred. The city has over 100,000 residents and sits in the heart of the Bay Area between San Francisco and San Jose. You can request arrest logs, crime reports, traffic collision files, and booking documents through the appropriate agency. Both follow California Public Records Act guidelines with ten-day response requirements. The county sheriff charges at least ten cents per page for paper records. Processing times vary based on request complexity in San Mateo.

San Mateo Police Department

The San Mateo Police Department serves all areas within city limits. Officers respond to calls, investigate crimes, make arrests, and create reports for incidents in the city. The department has its own records unit that handles public requests. For incidents that occurred inside city boundaries, contact the city police rather than the county sheriff.

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. Some agencies use online portals while others require mail or in-person requests. Processing times typically run seven to ten business days for standard reports in San Mateo.

San Mateo Police work closely with other agencies on regional cases. Major crimes often involve multiple departments. If you are unsure which agency handled your incident, start with the location where it occurred. Staff can redirect you to the correct records division if needed in San Mateo.

San Mateo County Sheriff Records

The San Mateo County Sheriff maintains records for unincorporated areas and provides jail services countywide. The Sheriff's Office is located at 400 County Center in Redwood City. Staff process public records requests for arrest logs, incident reports, and other law enforcement files. The office handles requests from victims, attorneys, insurance companies, and other parties with legal standing in San Mateo County.

San Mateo County charges at least ten cents per page for reproduction of paper records. This is the minimum cost set by state law. Additional fees may apply for certified copies, staff time, or special processing. The sheriff will inform you of exact costs when they locate your records. Payment is required before you receive copies in San Mateo County.

Contact the Criminal Records Bureau at 650-363-4525 for questions about procedures or fees. You can also email sheriffs_recordsrequest@smcgov.org. The office is at 400 County Center in Redwood City. Visit smcsheriff.com/public-records-request for more information about requesting records in San Mateo County.

How to Request Records

Start by identifying which agency handled your incident. City police cover areas inside San Mateo city limits. County sheriff covers unincorporated areas and provides jail services. If you are unsure, contact either agency and they can redirect you in San Mateo.

Gather information about the incident. You need the date. You need the location. 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. Officers include identifying details in reports that staff use for searches in San Mateo.

Submit your request using the agency's preferred method. For the county, check their website for current procedures. For the city, call or visit the department. Include your full name, address, phone number, and email. 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 Mateo.

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

Available Record Types

Arrest records show who police took into custody in San Mateo. Each record includes name, booking date, charges, bail amount, and booking photo. San Mateo 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 document crimes and other events officers investigate. Reports include victim statements, witness accounts, physical evidence, and officer findings. You must be directly involved to get a copy. Suspects cannot get their own arrest reports in most cases. Third parties without legal standing are denied access. Active cases may be withheld until investigations close in San Mateo.

Traffic collision reports are created when officers respond to crashes. These show date, time, location, vehicles, drivers, passengers, 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 Highway 101, Interstate 280, or other state routes, contact California Highway Patrol at crashes.chp.ca.gov instead of local police in San Mateo.

Costs and Processing Times

San Mateo County charges at least ten cents per page for paper records. This is the minimum cost allowed under California law. Actual fees may be higher depending on the record type and staff time required. Certified copies cost more due to official seals and documentation. Staff will inform you of exact costs when they process your request in San Mateo County.

Most agencies accept cash and checks. Some take credit cards. Call ahead to verify payment 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 Mateo.

Processing times vary by request complexity. Simple reports for your own case often complete in seven to ten business days. Large requests with multiple files can take weeks. The ten-day response requirement under state law 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 Mateo.

Note: Fees and timelines are subject to change, so verify current information 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 Mateo. 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 by 14 days for complex requests in California.

Some records cannot be released. Active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure. 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 release footage only from critical incidents. This includes officer-involved shootings and serious use of force. Agencies have 45 days to provide this footage. Extensions of 30 days are allowed during active investigations in San Mateo.

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 or manual cards. 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 conduct certain investigations. Most routine police records remain at the local level in San Mateo, not with state agencies.

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

Nearby California Cities

Other major cities in the Bay Area have their own police departments and records procedures: