Search Visalia Police Records
Visalia police records are held by the Visalia Police Department and Tulare County Sheriff. As the county seat of Tulare County with more than 135,000 residents, Visalia has its own police force that handles law enforcement within city limits. Police records include arrest reports, incident files, traffic crash documents, and booking data. You can request copies under the California Public Records Act. The Tulare County Sheriff maintains records at 833 South Akers Street in Visalia and uses a custom help portal for public records requests. Both agencies follow state law for processing requests and releasing police records to the public in Visalia.
Visalia Quick Facts
Visalia Police Department Records
The Visalia Police Department serves the city and maintains all local police records. The records unit handles requests for arrest reports, incident files, and case documents. You can contact them by phone or mail to request copies. Most records requests follow the standard Public Records Act process with a ten-day response time.
| Agency | Visalia Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 303 South Johnson Street Visalia, CA 93291 |
| Phone | (559) 713-4000 |
| Non-Emergency | (559) 713-4738 |
When you request police records from Visalia PD, be clear about what you need. Include names, dates, locations, case numbers if known, and the type of incident. Specific details help staff locate the right file quickly. The department will tell you if the records exist and what fees apply. Some records cannot be released if they are part of an active investigation or exempt under state law in Visalia.
Submit your request in writing by mail or email. Include your contact information so staff can reach you with questions or updates. The department responds within ten days to acknowledge your request. Processing the actual records may take longer depending on the size and complexity of your request in Visalia.
Tulare County Sheriff Records
The Tulare County Sheriff also keeps police records that may involve Visalia residents. The sheriff runs the county jail and handles warrants. If you were booked at the county jail, those records come from the sheriff. The records department is located at 833 South Akers Street in Visalia. You can reach them at (559) 802-9400 or email sheriffrecordsrequest@tularecounty.ca.gov.
Tulare County uses a custom help portal at tularecountysoca.mycusthelp.com for some records requests. This system lets you submit requests online and track their status. The sheriff follows the same ten-day response rule as other California agencies. Some records take longer to produce based on how much review is needed in Visalia.
The county sheriff has specific rules about what records can be released. Prior arrest information will not be released as it is against the law to release criminal history to third parties. Only the person named in the record can request their own arrest history through the California Department of Justice. For other types of records, contact the sheriff's office with details about what you need in Visalia.
How to Request Police Records
California law gives everyone the right to ask for police records under the Public Records Act. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. Any person can make a request. You do not need to live in Visalia. You do not have to give a reason for your request. The agency has ten days to respond.
Steps to request police records in Visalia:
- Decide which agency has the records (city police or county sheriff)
- Contact the records unit by phone, mail, or online portal
- Provide specific details about what records you want
- Include names, dates, locations, and case numbers if known
- Wait for the initial response within ten days
- Pay any required fees before receiving copies
Some records are exempt from release. Active investigations, personnel matters, and certain confidential files cannot be shared under state law. If your request is denied, the agency must cite the specific legal exemption. You can challenge denials through legal action if you believe the records should be public in Visalia.
Types of Police Records Available
Arrest records show when law enforcement took someone into custody. These files have the person's name, booking date, charges, bail amount, and where they were booked. Arrest information is public under Government Code Section 7923.610. Many agencies post daily booking logs online. An arrest is not a conviction. Charges may be dropped or dismissed later in Visalia.
Incident reports document crimes and events that police respond to. Officers write reports after investigating calls or incidents. The report tells what happened, who was involved, and what actions were taken. You can request a copy if you were a victim or involved party. Reports for active cases may be withheld until the investigation closes. Suspects generally cannot get copies of reports about their own cases in Visalia.
Traffic collision reports are created when police respond to an accident. The report shows date, time, location, vehicles, drivers, passengers, and injuries. California Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires agencies to give copies to parties of interest. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with a valid claim. Most collision reports are ready within seven to ten business days in Visalia.
Body camera footage is usually exempt from public release. Government Code Section 7923.625 requires agencies to release footage 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 in some cases. Other body cam video is not subject to release under the Public Records Act in California.
Fees and Processing Times
Fees for police records in Visalia vary by agency and record type. The Visalia Police Department and Tulare County Sheriff each set their own rates. Contact the specific agency for current fee information before you submit your request. Fees can change over time, so always verify the cost when ordering records.
Common fees for California police records:
- Basic incident reports from free to $30
- Traffic crash reports from $5 to $20
- Copy fees at 10 to 50 cents per page
- Certified copies with extra seal fees
- Digital files sometimes free by email
Processing time depends on the request. Simple requests for your own report often take five to ten business days after the initial response. Larger requests with many files can take several weeks. The ten-day response requirement is just the time for the agency to acknowledge your request. Producing the actual records takes additional time in Visalia.
Note: Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking can get free copies of their reports under California law.
California Police Records Laws
The California Public Records Act governs how agencies handle requests. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920 through 7931. It gives any person the right to request public records. Agencies must respond within ten calendar days. They can extend by 14 days if more time is needed. If denied, the agency must cite the specific exemption under state law in Visalia.
Penal Code Section 832.7 covers peace officer personnel records. SB 1421 and SB 16 changed this law to require more transparency. Agencies must now release records of officer-involved shootings, serious use of force, sexual assault by officers, and sustained dishonesty findings. These must be provided within 45 days. Delays up to 180 days are allowed for ongoing investigations in California.
You can request your own criminal history from the California Department of Justice under Penal Code Sections 11120-11127. The fee is $25. You get a record of all arrests and convictions on file. You cannot get someone else's criminal history. Only law enforcement can access those files for official purposes under California law.
Additional Resources in Visalia
The California Highway Patrol handles accidents on state highways near Visalia. You can request CHP crash reports online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. This portal covers collisions investigated by CHP officers. You need the report number or other identifying details to search. Only parties of interest can order copies, including drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with a claim in Visalia.
The Tulare County Superior Court keeps criminal and civil case files. Court records are separate from police reports but may contain related information. The main courthouse is at 221 South Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. You can search court records online through the court's website. Case files show charges, hearing dates, motions, judgments, and sentences. These are public unless sealed by court order in Visalia.
For legal help with records requests or questions about your rights, contact legal aid organizations in Tulare County. The Tulare County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Legal Services of Northern California may serve parts of Tulare County with free assistance for low-income residents. These groups can help if your request is denied or you need guidance on the process in Visalia.
The California Department of Justice operates the OpenJustice data portal at openjustice.doj.ca.gov. This site has crime statistics, arrest data, and law enforcement information for Visalia and the entire state. You can view data by county or city. The portal includes interactive maps and charts. This is useful for research on crime trends. It does not have individual case files or personal records in Visalia.
Tulare County Police Records
Visalia is the county seat of Tulare County. The Tulare County Sheriff provides law enforcement services throughout the county and operates the county jail. For more information on county sheriff services, jail bookings, warrants, and other county resources, visit the Tulare County police records page.