Stockton Police Records Search
Stockton police records are handled by the Stockton Police Department in San Joaquin County. This agency provides law enforcement for the city and creates all arrest reports and incident files for cases within Stockton city limits. The police department has a records division that processes public requests under California law. You can submit requests by mail or in person. The agency responds within ten days per the California Public Records Act. Most records are ready within two weeks of your request for Stockton police records.
Stockton Quick Facts
Stockton Police Department
The Stockton Police Department serves the city with patrol, investigations, and records services. Officers respond to calls throughout Stockton and create incident reports for all types of cases. The department handles traffic stops, property crimes, violent crimes, and other incidents. All reports become part of the records system maintained by the police department in Stockton.
The records division processes requests for police reports. You can visit in person during business hours or submit a written request by mail. Most people send a detailed letter or email describing what records they need. Provide the date, location in Stockton, names of people involved, and the type of report. Case numbers help if you have one from Stockton.
| Agency | Stockton Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 22 East Market Street Stockton, CA 95202 |
| Phone | (209) 937-8377 |
| Records Division | Contact through main number |
| Website | stocktonca.gov/police |
Stockton is the county seat of San Joaquin County. The San Joaquin County Sheriff provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas and some smaller cities. The sheriff has a records division at 7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd, French Camp, CA 95231. Call them at 209-468-4408 for questions about sheriff records from areas outside Stockton city limits.
Request Police Records
To request police records from Stockton, contact the police department records division. Include specific details about the incident. The more information you provide, the easier it is for staff to locate your report. Without a case number, they will search by name and date. Be prepared to wait one to two weeks for most reports from Stockton.
The California Public Records Act in Government Code Sections 7920-7931 gives you the right to request police records. The agency has ten calendar days to respond. They can take a 14-day extension if needed. The initial response tells you if they have the records and when they will be ready. Not all records can be released under state law in Stockton.
You cannot get arrest reports if you are the suspect. California law under Government Code Section 6254 exempts these from release to arrested persons. Victims and involved parties can usually get incident reports. Traffic collision reports are available to drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies under Vehicle Code Section 20012. Most collision reports in Stockton are ready within seven to ten days.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff charges an average of $47 for reports. This applies to sheriff records from unincorporated areas and county services. The Stockton Police Department may have different fees for city police records. Call the police department to ask about current costs before you submit a request for Stockton police records.
Note: The sheriff records division is open 24 hours a day for custody related questions.
Types of Police Records
Arrest records are created when someone is booked into custody in Stockton. The booking log includes the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. These logs are public under California law. Booking information does not prove guilt. Charges may be dropped or dismissed later. You can request arrest information from the police department or the county jail in Stockton cases.
Incident reports document crimes and calls for service in Stockton. An officer writes a report after investigating an incident. The report shows what happened, who was involved, witness statements, and the officer's actions. You can request a copy if you were a victim or party involved. The department will not release reports to suspects in active investigations. Closed case files may be available depending on the crime type in Stockton.
Traffic collision reports are created when officers respond to crashes in Stockton. These reports show the date, time, location, vehicles involved, drivers, and injuries. The law requires police to give copies to involved parties. Most reports are ready in one to two weeks. You can request these from the police department records division. Some crashes on state highways may be handled by the California Highway Patrol instead of city police in Stockton.
Body camera footage from Stockton police is generally exempt from disclosure. Critical incident footage must be released under Government Code Section 7923.625. This includes officer-involved shootings and serious use of force. The agency has 45 days to provide the footage. Other body cam video from routine calls is not subject to release under the Public Records Act in Stockton.
Record Fees and Wait Times
The Stockton Police Department may charge fees for police records. Fee amounts depend on the type of record and whether you need a certified copy. Some agencies provide digital copies at no cost. Others charge per page for printed copies. Contact the police department at 209-937-8377 to ask about current fees before you submit a request for Stockton police records.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff charges an average of $47 for reports. These fees apply to sheriff records from areas outside Stockton city limits. Payment methods and processing times may vary. Call the sheriff records division at 209-468-4408 to confirm costs and payment options for sheriff records from the Stockton area.
Processing times vary based on request complexity. Simple incident reports often take one to two weeks. Complex requests with multiple files can take longer. The ten-day response deadline is just the initial response. The agency will tell you when your records will be ready. Follow up if you do not hear back within the time they quoted for Stockton police records.
Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking get free copies of their incident reports under California law. The agency must provide these within five days at no charge. You may need to show proof that you were the victim. This applies to both city police and county sheriff records in Stockton.
Other Record Sources
The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history records. You can request your own record for $25 through the DOJ Record Review Unit. The process requires fingerprints. Mail your application to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for forms. This gives you a complete state record including arrests or convictions from Stockton.
The California Highway Patrol handles crash reports for incidents on state highways. You can request reports online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Only parties of interest can get copies. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies. The CHP serves Interstate 5, Highway 99, and other state routes near Stockton. For crashes on city streets, contact the police department instead.
San Joaquin County Superior Court keeps criminal case files for prosecutions in Stockton. You can search cases online through the court website. Court records include filings, hearings, and judgments. These are separate from police reports but may contain related information. Contact the court clerk for copies of documents from Stockton criminal cases.
San Joaquin County Police Records
Stockton is the county seat of San Joaquin County. The sheriff serves unincorporated areas and smaller cities across the region. For county records, sheriff services, and fee schedules, visit the San Joaquin County police records page.