Imperial County Police Records

The Imperial County Sheriff's Office maintains police records for the county at 328 Applestill Road in El Centro. You can request arrest reports, crime reports, and incident files through the Records Division. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM for walk-in requests. Staff respond to records requests within ten business days as required by California law. Fees apply for most reports. Crime reports cost $22 and clearance letters are $65. Vehicle release documents cost $100. You can reach the Records Division at 442-265-2125 or email recordsdivision@icso.org with questions about your request in Imperial County.

Sheriff Records Division

The Records Division at the Imperial County Sheriff's Office processes all public records requests for the county. This unit handles crime reports, arrest records, clearance letters, and vehicle releases. Staff work Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Walk-in service is available during these times in El Centro.

Most requests are completed within ten business days. This is the standard timeline under California law. Complex cases with many documents may take longer. Staff must review files before release to remove any exempt information. Active investigations may delay processing until the case closes in Imperial County.

You can submit requests by phone at 442-265-2125. Staff will take your information and start the search. Email requests go to recordsdivision@icso.org. Include all details you know about the case. Names, dates, and case numbers help staff find the right file faster. In-person requests are accepted at 328 Applestill Road in El Centro during office hours in Imperial County.

Records Fees and Costs

Imperial County charges set fees for police records. A crime report costs $22. This covers the staff time to search for and copy the file. Clearance letters cost $65. These show your criminal history in the county or state that you have no record. Vehicle releases cost $100 and are needed to get your car back from impound. Live scan fingerprinting is $40 if you need that service in Imperial County.

Payment is due before records are released. The Records Division accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some services may accept credit cards but call ahead to confirm. Make checks payable to Imperial County Sheriff's Office. Include your case number or request details on the check memo line in Imperial County.

Fee waivers are not common but may apply in special cases. Domestic violence victims can get their incident reports free under California law. Bring proof that you were the victim if this applies to your case. Other exemptions are rare and decided on a case-by-case basis in Imperial County.

Note: Fees can change, so verify current costs with the Records Division before submitting payment for your request in Imperial County.

Available Police Records

Crime reports document incidents that deputies respond to in Imperial County. These include theft, assault, vandalism, and other offenses. An officer writes a report after investigating the call. The file describes what happened and who was involved. You can get a copy if you were a victim or party to the case. Suspects may be denied access while the investigation is active.

Arrest records show when someone was booked into jail. The file has the person's name, charges, and booking date. Bail amounts are listed if set. These records are public under California law. Anyone can ask to see them. The sheriff's office can tell you if someone is currently in custody or was recently arrested in Imperial County.

Traffic collision reports are available if the sheriff or CHP responded to a crash. Drivers and passengers can request copies. Vehicle owners and insurance companies with a claim number also qualify. Most crash reports take seven to ten days to process. For CHP reports, use their online portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov instead of the sheriff's office in Imperial County.

Clearance letters show your criminal history status. These are often needed for jobs, licenses, or housing applications. The letter states if you have arrests or convictions on file in Imperial County. Processing takes ten business days. The fee is $65 for this service from the Records Division in California.

How to Request Records

Start by calling the Records Division at 442-265-2125. Tell them what you need. Be ready with names, dates, and case details. The more info you provide, the easier it is for staff to find your file. They will tell you if the records exist and what the cost will be in Imperial County.

You can also email your request to recordsdivision@icso.org. Write a clear message with all the details you know. Include your contact information so they can reach you. Staff will reply within ten business days to tell you if the records are available. They will explain how to pay and pick up the documents in Imperial County.

Walk-in requests are accepted at 328 Applestill Road in El Centro. Bring identification with you. Have case numbers or other details ready. Staff can search their system while you wait if the request is simple. Complex searches may require you to come back later when the file is ready in Imperial County.

The California Public Records Act requires a response in ten days. The agency tells you if they have the records and if they will release them. Some files are exempt under state law. Ongoing investigations and personnel matters are often withheld. If your request is denied, the office must cite the specific legal exemption in writing for your case in California.

Processing Times

Most records requests in Imperial County are completed in ten business days. This is the standard under California law. Simple requests with one report are often ready sooner. Staff can process these in a few days if the file is easy to find and has no issues that need review.

Complex requests take longer. Multiple reports or large files need more time. Staff must review every page before release. They redact exempt information like social security numbers and confidential details. This review process adds days to the timeline in Imperial County.

Active investigations may delay your request. The sheriff can withhold files until the case closes. This protects the integrity of ongoing work. Once the investigation ends, the records become available. Staff will notify you when the file is ready in Imperial County.

Rush service is not typically offered. All requests are processed in the order received. If you have an urgent need, explain this when you submit your request. Staff may prioritize your case if circumstances allow. Domestic violence victims get their reports within five days under state law at no charge in California.

California Public Records Act

The Public Records Act is found in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. This law gives you the right to access police records in Imperial County and throughout California. Any person can make a request. You do not need to be a resident. You do not have to explain why you want the records.

Agencies must respond within ten calendar days. They can extend this by 14 days if they need more time to search or consult with other offices. If records are denied, the agency must cite the specific exemption that applies. Common exemptions include ongoing investigations, personnel files, and certain confidential matters under California law.

Penal Code Section 832.7 requires disclosure of certain peace officer records. This includes officer-involved shootings, use of force, and sustained findings of misconduct. Agencies must release these within 45 days of a request. A delay of up to 180 days is allowed during an active investigation in California.

If your request is denied, you can challenge the decision in court. Many people work with attorneys or public interest groups for appeals. Legal aid organizations may help if you cannot afford a lawyer. The California Attorney General's office can answer questions about your rights under the Public Records Act in Imperial County and throughout the state.

Other Law Enforcement Records

The California Department of Justice keeps criminal history records for the entire state. You can request your own record through the DOJ Record Review Unit. This costs $25 and requires fingerprints. Send your request to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. You cannot get someone else's criminal history through this system under California law.

Traffic collision reports from the California Highway Patrol are available online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Use this portal if a CHP officer responded to your crash in Imperial County. Parties of interest can request copies. The system is free to use but reports may have a fee when you order them in California.

The OpenJustice data portal at openjustice.doj.ca.gov has crime statistics for Imperial County. You can view arrest data, crime trends, and law enforcement information. This is useful for research but does not include individual case files. For specific records, contact the sheriff's office in El Centro.

Contact Imperial County Sheriff

The Records Division is located at the main sheriff's office in El Centro. This is the county seat and central location for all law enforcement records in Imperial County. Staff can answer questions about your request and tell you what documents are available. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on weekends and holidays.

For general information about the sheriff's office, visit their website at icso.imperialcounty.org/support-services. This page has details about services and contact information for different divisions. You can also find forms and resources related to law enforcement in Imperial County.

Nearby California Counties

Imperial County is in the southeastern corner of California. It borders San Diego County to the west and Riverside County to the north. Each county has its own sheriff and records system.

View All California Counties