West Covina Police Records Access
West Covina police records are maintained by the West Covina Police Department in Los Angeles County. This city of over 106,000 residents in the San Gabriel Valley has its own police force that handles law enforcement within city limits. Police records in West Covina include arrest logs, incident reports, traffic collision files, and booking data. You can request these documents under the California Public Records Act. The police department uses LexisNexis eCrash for traffic collision reports. For other police records, you contact the records unit directly. Both systems follow state law for processing requests and releasing police records to the public in West Covina.
West Covina Quick Facts
West Covina Police Department Records
The West Covina 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 in person to request copies. The department follows the standard Public Records Act process with a ten-day response time for all requests.
| Agency | West Covina Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1444 West Garvey Avenue West Covina, CA 91790 |
| Phone | (626) 939-8500 |
| Non-Emergency | (626) 939-8688 |
When you request police records from West Covina PD, include specific details about what you need. Give names, dates, locations, case numbers if you know them, and the type of incident. This helps staff find the right file. The more detail you provide, the faster the search goes. The department will tell you if the records exist and what fees apply in West Covina.
Submit your request in writing by mail, email, or in person at the police department. Include your contact information so staff can reach you with questions or updates. The department responds within ten days to acknowledge your request and tell you the next steps. Processing the actual records may take longer depending on the size of your request in West Covina.
Traffic Collision Reports
West Covina uses LexisNexis eCrash for traffic collision reports. This online system lets you search for crash reports and order copies. The portal covers accidents investigated by West Covina police. You can access it at ecrash.lexisnexis.com. Select West Covina Police Department when searching for your report.
To get a crash report through LexisNexis, you need details about the accident. This includes the date, location, and names of people involved. The system searches its database and tells you if a report exists. Fees apply for copies of traffic reports. Payment is made online through the portal when you order the report in West Covina.
Only parties of interest can order crash reports. California Vehicle Code Section 20012 says this includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with a valid claim. You may need to prove you are a party of interest before getting a copy. Most traffic reports are ready within seven to ten business days in West Covina.
Public Records Act Requests
California law gives everyone the right to request 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 West Covina. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The police department has ten days to respond.
Steps to request police records in West Covina:
- Contact West Covina Police Department records unit
- Submit your request in writing by mail or in person
- Include your name and contact information
- Provide specific details about what records you want
- Wait for the initial response within ten days
- Pay any required fees before receiving copies
Some records are exempt from release. Active investigations, personnel files, and certain confidential documents cannot be shared under state law. If your request is denied, the department must cite the specific legal exemption. You can challenge denials through legal action if you believe the records should be public in West Covina.
Types of Police Records Available
Arrest records show when law enforcement took someone into custody. These files include the person's name, booking date, charges filed, 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 West Covina.
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 West Covina.
Traffic collision reports are created when police respond to an accident. The report shows date, time, location, vehicles, drivers, passengers, and injuries. These reports are available through the LexisNexis eCrash portal. Most collision reports are ready within seven to ten business days. Only parties of interest can order copies per California law in West Covina.
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. The police 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 West Covina vary by record type. The police department sets rates for incident reports and other documents. Traffic crash reports through LexisNexis have their own fees set by the vendor. Contact the records unit 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 $10 to $25
- 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 department to acknowledge your request. Producing the actual records takes additional time in West Covina.
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 West Covina.
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 for West Covina
The California Highway Patrol handles accidents on state highways near West Covina. 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 West Covina.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court keeps criminal and civil case files. Court records are separate from police reports but may contain related information. The Pomona courthouse serves West Covina at 400 Civic Center Plaza. 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 West Covina.
For legal help with records requests or questions about your rights, contact legal aid organizations in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free assistance to low-income residents. These groups can help if your request is denied or you need guidance on the process in West Covina.
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 West Covina 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 West Covina.
Los Angeles County Police Records
West Covina is located in Los Angeles County. The county sheriff provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. For more information on county sheriff services, jail bookings, warrants, and other county resources, visit the Los Angeles County police records page.